A NOTTS education chief has warned that Sutton-in-Ashfield could miss out on its chance to open a new school if a planning application is delayed.

Talks have begun to secure village green status for Sutton Lawn, which is earmarked as the site of Sutton Community Academy.

Sutton Lawn would be protected from development if it is granted village green status.

And Coun Philip Owen, cabinet member for Children and Young People, this will scupper plans for the new academy.

The council hopes to win planning consent and apply for Government funding before the general election.

Objectors to the scheme have set up a Facebook group which now has more than 2,500 followers.

Prospective Ashfield MP Coun Jason Zadrozny has given the protesters a vote of support.

But Coun Owen alleged Coun Zadrozny was opposing the plans in a bid to win votes at the General Election.

Coun Zadrozny has refuted the claim and said he supported the wishes of residents.

Coun Owen, a Conservative member for Nuthall, said: "If we don't get the planning application, it won't go to the Secretary of State and there won't be a new school.

"One of the parliamentary candidates for Ashfield is seeking to whip up public opposition and is urging people to put in forms to make that area of Sutton Lawn a village green.

"This will deprive the people of Ashfield of a new academy building. I think that is deplorable."

Coun Zadrozny, said he had only suggested a village green application to supporters who were already intent on fighting the council's plans.

He said he agrees that the town needs a new school building but says Sutton Lawn is the wrong site.

He said: "It has won green flags three years running. They are about to build on at least a third of the park with this new school.

"I am opposing them building on Sutton Lawn but I am absolutely in favour of new school provision.

"I think the county council simply wants to build on that park because they own that bit of land.

"There are lots of brownfield sites in the town."

A report to the council's cabinet states: "The process of identifying a suitable site of sufficient size in the centre of Sutton-in-Ashfield has been challenging.

"A technical team was established to consider possible sites and whilst all sites identified have significant development issues, the conclusion was that the preferred site was on part of the Sutton Lawn."

chris.birkle@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk