PROPOSALS to turn a Mill Hill garden centre into a new Jewish free school were approved by Barnet Council last night.

Founders of the Etz Chaim school are one step closer to taking over Wyevale Garden Centre in Daws Lane after the cabinet resources committee pushed the decision through to planning.

In order for the site to be used as a school planning permission for change of use and alterations is required.

If the application is successful the garden centre would hand over its lease to the school and permission given for variations such as playing music, floodlights and hours of use.

The school is scheduled to be one of the first free schools to open in September under the Government's plans to give parents more input on their children's education.

If the school’s conversion works are not completed in time then it would be temporarily housed in the former civil defence building next to the site which is also used by Sea Cadets.

As a free school it could set its own pay and conditions for staff, change the lengths of its terms and school days and have freedom from following the National Curriculum.

All free schools will be accountable like other state schools via inspections and tests.

Councillor Andrew Harper, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for education, children and families said it was “a timely delivery of this project”.

He said the school would be of “value” to the council as it could assist with the provision of primary school places.

Councillor Harper added the school is “very conscious of concerns local residents may have” and noted the public will be consulted.