Plans for a new four-storey building at an independent school have been deferred following concerns from councillors and neighbouring properties.

Harrow Council’s planning committee agreed to revisit proposals for a new STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) teaching block at John Lyon School, Harrow-on-the-Hill.

Cllr Keith Ferry, chairman of the planning committee, said this would allow the school to “negotiate” its position and potentially come back with a new application based on the issues raised.

Those opposed to the plans are concerned that it will negatively impact on the Harrow-on-the-Hill conservation area and goes against a previous section 106 agreement signed which prevents building on this site.

A petition against the development gathered more than 200 signatures, while those living nearby frequently met with ward councillors to voice their opinions.

Ashley Vickers, of Crown Street, described it as an “ill-conceived, harmful proposal” and said developers should not seek to achieve their aims by “riding roughshod over planning agreements to the detriment of the local environment and community”.

The committee – as well as several other councillors – unanimously agreed that schools in the borough should be supported.

But they urged the school to look at other options in this instance, including the suggestion that a new building be built on the current footprint with pupils moved to temporary classrooms during construction.

Cllr Stephen Greek, who sits on the planning committee, said: “STEAM is important, and we need to improve educational facilities.

“But I’m not persuaded that this scheme, in this design and in this location, is necessary to fulfil that goal.”

Nick Prior, a planning advisor representing the school, said there was a “strong need” for this type of development in a market where schools “are required to change, adapt and be innovative”.

And when the application was submitted, a spokesman for the school said it had listened to feedback from residents and the council and amended the plans to “ensure the building positively benefits our pupils and local area alike”.