The new proposal for Ark Pioneer Academy has been submitted for consideration by the planning committee.

The application to regenerate the former Underhill football ground was refused by the committee in January, but now the team has put forward a new application, scaling back the size of the school and reducing its capacity.

The school’s intake is proposed at 180 Year Seven pupils, compared to the 240 pupils previously suggested, and the primary and nursery elements of the school have been removed so will now only serve secondary school and sixth form students.

Charlie Fagan, of Ark Academy, said: “We believe that our new plans for Ark Pioneer will address the concerns that had been raised by the local community and the planning committee.

“We are committed in our efforts to develop a brilliant new school that the local community will be proud of.”

MP Theresa Villiers welcomed the changes but said she remains concerned about the size of the school and feels the need for school places comes from the west of the borough, rather than the area immediately surround the school.

Ms Villiers also believes more needs to be done to reduce the traffic impact of the school.

She said: “Ark have moved in the right direction but they need to make further changes to their proposals.

“I will continue to listen to my constituents and work with them to ensure that whatever is built in Underhill, action is taken to address the impact on traffic and parking in narrow residential roads around the site.”

The school will keep its sports, arts and music facilities but will attempt a system where these are available to the public, with the school scheduled to open in Stepember 2019.

The application is open online for public comments via the Barnet Council planning portal.