There were cheers from the packed public seating at Hendon Town Hall tonight as Barnet’s planning committee gave the green light for an enlarged Hasmonean High School.

By the narrowest of margins, six votes to five, the committee overturned the recommendation of its planning officers to reject the proposal, primarily on Green Belt considerations.

Councillor Melvin Cohen, chair of the planning committee and a Hasmonean old boy, said “an exceptional case has been made to override the Green Belt consideration”. Councillor Wendy Prentice, the committee vice-chair, had argued that approving the plans would set a dangerous precedent.

In an impassioned address to the meeting, Hasmonean parent Anushka Levey said general facilities at the boys’ and girls’ sections were “woefully inadequate” and the proposal represented a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The plan will bring the two sections together on the Page Street, Mill Hill, site of the girls’ school, which will be expanded and redeveloped. Girls and boys will continue to be taught separately.

At present, the boys’ school is in Holders Hill Road, Hendon in premises first occupied in 1947. Originally intended for 350 pupils, it now accommodates 600. The buildings are in poor condition and there is no room for expansion. The girls’ premises also require modernisation and both lack adequate provision for sport and outdoor play.

The split school additionally causes staffing problems and creates dropping-off and collection difficulties for parents with children on both sites.

An enlarged Hasmonean will also ease the pressure on secondary school places in London, allowing the school to increase its combined capacity from around 1,100 to 1,400.

Andrew McClusky, Hasmonean’s executive head, was “absolutely delighted” at the committee’s decision. It was essential for the school to expand and have new premises, he said.

“I am grateful to council committee members for appreciating the level of that need," Mr McClusky added.