It looks as if a controversial development of the French School in Frederiksberg is now on hold.

Simon Aggesen, Conservative mayor of Frederiksberg, had absented himself from voting because he lived close to the proposed development but he-has moved and he has now announced his opposition to the project which changes the balance for any vote by the city council.

The Lycée Francais - now known as Lycée Francais Prins Henrik - opened in 1954 on Dag Hamerskjolds Allé and, when the number of pupils increased, the school moved first to Blegdamsvej and then to Frederiksberg Allé 16 and in 1992, into large 19th-century school buildings at Frederiksberg Allé 22 that had been the Schneekloth's School. In 2005 the Lycée expanded into buildings reached from Værnedamsvej.

An American private equity fund - Angelo Gordon - has submitted plans for a major redevelopment of the school site that would add 4,000 square metres to 7,325 square meters of the buildings to be retained and there would have been new housing and a large, new underground carpark with space for 70 cars.

This area around Værnedamsvej is already one of the most densely occupied parts of Frederiksberg and local people want a much more modest scheme here with some new housing but with a series of quiet courtyard spaces off Værnedamsvej to balance the bustle and lively atmosphere of the well-used and popular street and to form a new link through to Frederiksberg Allé.

This is a densely-packed block surrounded by older apartment buildings and there will certainly be conflicts over rights to light and air to adjoining properties if the scheme proceeds as proposed.