A posh London school has failed in its latest bid to remove planning restrictions that stop it from expanding.

Harrow’s John Lyon School sought to end an agreement which prevents it from increasing pupil numbers over 600 – or building outside a certain area on its grounds. 

These measures are in place to protect the Harrow-on-the-Hill conservation area and support the residents who live there. 

The application was unanimously rejected by Harrow Council’s planning bosses who said it was important the school “gets the message” that the area must be preserved.

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Committee member Cllr Marilyn Ashton described this corner of the borough as “a very special part of the world” and “one of the finest in terms of conservation and character”. 

She said: “All of us think that it’s a great school but we really do have to make it very clear that it is in a conservation area.

“It’s also in a densely populated enclave where the residents who live there are very much restricted in what they can do to their own homes.

“We shouldn’t be encouraging the school to become more emboldened. This kind of nonsense is unacceptable and we’ve got to make it very clear in the nicest possible way that we’re not going to stand for it. 

“The residents around there have been deeply upset and troubled by this. They’ve been very well supported but, nonetheless, it’s important the school gets the message.”

She was supported by local councillor Dan Anderson who said the application was “confusing and unwelcome”. 

Cllr Anderson said it was “abundantly clear” the current agreement served a useful purpose as to remove it could negatively impact local residents. 

He also called on the school to “properly engage” with those living nearby when it comes to any planning applications or proposed developments at its site. 

The school previously sought to vary the agreement in 2015 – this was again rejected by Harrow Council and an appeal was also knocked back.  

John Lyon School declined to comment on the matter.