The education trust planning to open a new free school in Burnt Oak is “fully confident” it will go ahead – despite a recent delay.

Barnet Council’s assets, regeneration and growth committee met on Monday to decide whether to release land at the former Pavilion Way playing fields for Watling Park School.

Run by The Bellevue Place Education Trust, school places have already been offered to 40 children starting in Reception this September.

But the decision was referred to full council by the committee’s Labour members, who said it would enable a greater debate, citing “ongoing opposition” from people in the area to the plans.

Conservative members reacted furiously to the move, accusing Labour of “playing politics” with children’s education, and said the school was unlikely to be ready in time for those offered places.

In a statement released today, The Bellevue Place Education Trust said: “We remain fully confident that Watling Park School will open as planned in September.

"We are currently in discussion with our colleagues at the Education Funding Agency and have robust contingency plans in the event of any delays with opening the school in Pavilion Way.”

Conservative councillor Gabriel Rozenberg criticised Labour for the delay.

In a letter to the Times Series, Cllr Rozenberg said: “This vote was crucial. Once we said yes, it would go to planning committee next month, allowing temporary buildings to go up in time for September. It was a tight deadline, so the Conservatives had everything lined up, ready to go.

“Some 41 children have already signed up for Watling Park Academy. I have no idea where Barnet Labour think these children are supposed to be taught this autumn. These councillors have trampled on their plans, and their parents will be frantic with worry. I think Labour owe the whole borough an explanation.”

Barnet Labour leader Councillor Alison Moore said there was a lot of “public feeling” about the site.

Cllr Moore said: “A whole host of local residents and groups felt it should be identified as community facilities.

“They could and should have brought it through the process earlier, to properly allow for these views to be expressed. Our members clearly, after hearing the debate, felt they were concerned there had not been a wider debate.

“We clearly do need school places in Barnet, but there is a view it’s the wrong site. There are a series of reasons why things would be problematic.

“They cannot be surprised when they know the amount of public feeling about the site.”