A primary school has been given the go-ahead to build new classrooms – but does not plan to take in more pupils.

Menorah Foundation School, in Abbots Road, Edgware, will build an extra floor above the existing school hall to provide more space for its current pupils.

It will be created by building a flat roof over a courtyard and adding rooms to create a mezzanine floor.

The plans were approved by members of Hendon area planning committee on Monday (September 2).

Five people wrote to the council to object to the plans, fearing an increase in pupil numbers and a worsening of existing parking problems on surrounding streets.

But David Bloom, chairman of the school’s board of governors, told the committee there were no plans to take in more pupils.

He said: “There is absolutely no intention to increase pupil numbers.

“At the moment, we are struggling to accommodate the pupils we do have in the common building.

“The new building will provide the classroom space we need, there will be some amenity space, such as a hall – and breakout rooms are becoming increasingly common and relevant to teaching methodology.”

The plans were unanimously approved by the committee.