Residents opposing contentious plans to relocate a Harrow secondary school to Mill Hill or Edgware are on the brink of winning their campaign to block the move, the Times Series understands.

The Avanti House free school is looking to merge its primary and secondary sites and move from its premises in Tudor Road, Wealdstone, by September.

In May, the Department for Education announced plans for a temporary two-year relocation to The Fairway, in Mill Hill, before a permanent move for the 1,600 student-school to the Broadfields Estate, in Hartlands Drive, Edgware.

The proposals sparked widespread opposition from residents of both areas, who raised fears over traffic congestion.

But this week, the office of Education Secretary Michael Gove gave the strongest hint yet the department was no longer considering the sites.

In a meeting with Hendon MP Matthew Offord on Tuesday, education ministers confirmed “no planning application is being considered for the site in Hartland Drive, Edgware”.

Conservative politician Mr Offord said he was expecting a further “positive” announcement on The Fairway site later today (Thursday).

Whilst the department has fallen short of definitively ruling out the two sites, Mr Offord believes the latest development is “good news”.

He said: “There are no current plans for the move but I see this as good news and I’m hoping for more confirmation as soon as possible.

“The process has been frustrating and lengthy but we’re nearing a resolution and I’m feeling positive about it.”

Barnet GLA member Andrew Dismore has also campaigned on behalf of residents and local councillors, who gathered a 1,000 signature petition opposing the move.

Members of the Broadfields Residents’ Association welcomed this week’s developments, as well as news that a planning application for a cemetery to the west of the proposed school site has been accepted.

A spokesman said: “It would now seem that the relocation of the school is lot less likely thanks to the tireless work of Matthew Offord and the granting of planning permission for the cemetery. Although we feel more confident of a positive outcome, we are not taking anything for granted.

“We are still pursuing all avenues to bring this to a successful conclusion and would also like to thank Andrew Dismore for his work.”