Plans for a Muslim primary school in Watford were again discussed by councillors last night.

Campaigners have been fighting to build the school, on a council-owned site in Tolpits Lane, for more than five years.

The Watford Muslim School Trust, set up to plan, fund and deliver the project, has now cleared most administrative hurdles, having secured planning permission, county council support and a land agreement with Watford Borough Council.

The Trust, however, is still working to secure funding, and is currently examining the potential benefits of the new coalition’s government’s free schools programme.

The subject was again discussed at a Watford Borough Council meeting last night, when local GP Dr Riffat Majeed stressed the need for the school – supported by new petition of more than 300 parents.

She argued Muslim children would perform better in a specialist faith school, adding that: “Muslim parents want the same choices that are available to other parents; to send their children to a faith school of their choice.”

Dorothy Thornhill, who believes the school could be up and running in as little as two years, agreed. She said: “Faith schools are legal. It should be no different for the Muslim community, the Jewish community, or any other community.

“We don’t believe that the Muslim community should be treated any differently. This is about choice and we are also 90 places short this year already – so this will help towards the shortage.”

Mayor Thornhill warned, however, that a private school would not be tolerated on the site, stressing that any development had to be open to all.

Councillor George Derbyshire also welcomed the principle of the school, but rejected any suggestion that schools in West Watford were failing Muslim children in any way.

Councillor Andrew Mortimer, meanwhile, warned against funding and services being diverted from other schools in the area.