Plans have been drawn up to build affordable homes next to a primary school in Coppetts.

Barnet Council’s housing arm, Barnet Homes, wants to build 16 homes on the site next to Coppetts Wood Primary School in Coppetts Road.

An outline business case for the scheme was unanimously approved by the council’s housing and growth committee on Thursday.

The site is next to the school, allotments and the Martins Walk Estate. It is currently occupied by 19 garages, which would be knocked down, hard standing and a parking court.

Eight of the new homes would be three and four-bedroom properties designed for larger families, and two of the family homes would be able to fully accommodate wheelchair users.

The scheme is expected to benefit from £1.6million of grant funding from the Greater London Authority. The money is conditional on work starting on site by March next year and on the new homes being let at London affordable rent levels.

According to a council report, the development is expected to save the town hall £98,406 per year in temporary accommodation costs.

Following approval of the business case, Barnet Homes will continue to work on the designs of the scheme before submitting a planning application.

During the meeting, councillors also approved a full business case for 35 new affordable homes in Little Strand, Hendon.

The scheme will involve demolishing 46 garages and eight vacant bungalows. It will provide twelve three- and four-bedroom properties, with five homes able to fully accommodate wheelchair users. Work is expected to start on site during the summer.