Garden centre battle splits community

Hundreds of Mill Hill residents are campaigning against a new Jewish free school opening on the site of a garden centre.

More than 1,000 people have signed a petition against the Wyevale garden centre being closed, saying it acts as a community hub and is used by disabled groups.

The group behind the Etz Chaim Jewish free school are hoping their school will move onto the site next year and have submitted a planning application to Barnet council. They say they are not forcing the garden centre, which is a private business, to shut.

Gaon Hart, a spokesman for campaign group Action Mill Hill, said the issue has split the Jewish community.

He added that most people in the area want a new Jewish school, but many don't want it to replace the garden centre. Barnet council owns the freehold of Mill Hill garden centre, and will decide whether to give planning permission to the new school.