A COUNCIL has sought legal advice after being left 'frustrated and disappointed' at the decision to allow a secondary school to remain in a village.

South Bucks District Council announced at its full council meeting yesterday (Tuesday) that it was seeking legal advice following the decision from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark, to allow Khalsa Secondary Academy to remain in Stoke Poges.

The Sikh-faith school has been housed at Pioneer House in Hollybush Hill since 2013, and the decision came on Thursday last week after a long-running legal battle.

Jo Brar, chairman of the School Lane and Hockley Lane Residents' Association, asked whether the council would be seeking legal advice to carry on the challenge against the school.

Councillor Jacquetta Lowen-Copper, chairman of the planning committee, said: "I am very disappointed that the Secretary of State has once again decided to overturn the decision of the council's planning committee to refuse prior approval for the use of Pioneer House for Khalsa Secondary Academy.

"In so doing he has also failed to follow recommendations of the planning inspector that prior approval should not be granted, a view overwhelmingly shared by the majority of the Stoke Poges community.

"I can confirm that officers were immediately instructed to seek legal advice on the soundness of the Secretary of State's decision. Further action will be informed by that advice."

An initial application was refused by South Bucks District Council in 2013, which was supported by a planning inspector following an inquiry in August 2014.

But the then Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, overturned the decision following an appeal by the Department for Education, and then reversed his own decision after 'misinterpreting and misunderstanding' evidence.

Mr Clark stated in his report that when the school reaches maximum capacity of 840 pupils, he expects an 'appropriate increase' of eight decibels up to the maximum permitted of 55 decibels, which would relate to 'moderate annoyance rather than serious annoyance' for residents.

Council leader cllr Ralph Bagge added: "Noise and disruption from the school was measured to be harmful in the run up to the planning application and there were clear grounds for the planning committee to refuse the application.

"In the appeal that subsequently took place, members will know that the inspector listened to the evidence.

"I have no doubt that the case was made to the inspector and recommendation for refusal was based on sound evidence.

"It is distressing that the Secretary of State has taken so long [to announce his decision] and it is extremely frustrating and disappointing.

"This district council is about protecting public health, with a clear number of responsibilities, and noise and environmental health are amongst those.

"This council will take this matter very seriously and do everything we can to address the unsatisfactory matter that exists."

South Bucks District Council is due to hear back from its lawyers ahead of the next planning committee meeting on March 9.