More than 200 homes could be built on land around schools.

Barnet Borough Council has outlined plans to build on spare land around Broadfields Primary School, Northway School and Whitings Hill Primary School.

The sites have been ruled unsuitable for further school development.

The council has taken the first steps towards acting as developers of the sites. People living in the affected areas will be consulted before plans are drawn up.

Finchley Church End Councillor Daniel Thomas, chairman of the assets, regeneration and growth committee, said: “We are a council that’s very careful with residents' money and it is clear from our role in the Millbrook Park development that we can get the best deal for the taxpayer by remaining involved in the development of new homes rather than just selling the land for a third of its developed value.”

The redevelopment of the Dollis Valley Estate will also be brought forward by six months.

The development team has revised the building scheme, and will start work on the affordable housing part next month.

This will bring forward 63 new affordable homes, and it is hoped it will speed up the process of moving people from the old estate buildings into new homes.