THE Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has backed out of making a decision over whether an academy school should be built in Wembley.

Instead he has left the decision to Brent Council which already approved the controversial proposals in April. The Liberal Democrat group has said it will now press forward with building the Ark Academy in Bridge Road.

Protesters believe the site is wrong and that there should be a school built in the south of the borough.

Residents also fear the school would have a detrimental effect on traffic and parking in the area.

But Jean Roberts, member of the Wembley Park Action Group, said the battle was not over and is determined to stop it from being built. She said: "This means we will now go down the court route. We can also appeal to the Secretary of State. We are not giving up. We know we have got all the right arguments. We have enough supporters to take this to the top and money will not be a barrier."

However, Councillor Bob Wharton (Liberal Democrat), responsible for children and families, was delighted with the decision. He said: "I'm really pleased this new school for our borough has been approved. This school will offer real relief to parents and children who currently face difficulties finding a school place in the Wembley area.

"There is pressure on all schools in the borough and this new school is a part of a wider plan to develop school places across the borough.

"It is and will remain a priority for the Liberal Democrats to make sure that every youngster in Brent has a school place, now and in the future."

A spokesman for the Mayor said: "Following additional information provided by the applicant which addressed the Mayor's original concerns he has decided that he is content to let Brent Council determine the application itself and not to direct refusal.'