Charities will be given up to 16 free events a year at a new school theatre as part of a community use agreement.

They will benefit from the new sixth form block and arts centre at Avanti House Secondary School, in Wemborough Road, Stanmore.

Harrow Council granted permission for the new buildings in February, on the basis that it offers use of the spaces to the community.

This was formally agreed at a planning meeting yesterday (April 17), which will entitle charitable organisations to 16 free events at the school’s theatre annually.

Of these, ten will be nominated by Harrow Council, while six will be decided by the Avanti Schools Trust.

Charities will also be given 100 hours each year to use the theatre for rehearsal outside of normal school hours.

Schools in Harrow will also get paid access to the theatre, and the multi-use hall at the centre, for a minimum of 50 hours each year in each space.

The decision was unanimously approved by the planning committee, supporting the opinion of Cllr Simon Brown, who vocally backed the community use suggestion when planning permission was initially granted.

As well as the hall and the theatre, the new centre – which can accommodate up to 400 people – will include a recording studio, a dining area and three classrooms.