A top independent school has won approval for plans to replace its locally-listed school building with modern classrooms – on condition that fewer parents drive their children to school.

Highgate Junior School was given the go-ahead to replace its tuck shop, fives courts and Cholmeley House, which faces on to Bishopswood Road, with a new contemporary building.

It will mean the loss of locally-listed Cholmeley House, built in the 1930s, as well as construction of a temporary building on the school’s playing field to house classrooms while the work is completed.

Haringey’s planning committee voted unanimously to approve the new design, which was noted to be sympathetic to the surroundings.

But permission was given on condition that the school makes a 10 per cent reduction in the number of parents dropping children off by car. It is estimated that 68.8 per cent of trips to Highgate School are by car – higher than many other Haringey schools.

Highgate Junior will also have to spend £120,000 on new traffic safety measures, as well as including cycle parking, to try to encourage sustainable methods of transport.

Bursar John Pheasant said: “We are very happy to work with the council in terms of the travel plan and also road safety.”