CRUNCH talks are due to be held today (Friday) as a parish council decides whether to take its fight against a new free school in the village to the High Court.

An extraordinary meeting has been called by Stoke Poges Parish Council on whether the decision to make Pioneer House, in Hollybush Hill, Khalsa Secondary Academy’s permanent home should be challenged.

More than 120 Stoke Poges residents packed into a meeting on Wednesday last week to discuss the village’s options, with all bar one voting in favour of a statutory challenge.

The council discussed all its options at the public meeting at St Andrew’s Church centre, in Rogers Lane, but will make the decision at a private meeting today.

It has until October 30 to make a challenge, after Eric Pickles, the secretary of state for communities and local government, announced last month the Sikh-faith based school would be staying in the village.

Saera Carter, vice chairman of the parish council, said: “From meeting with our barrister there is a challenge to be had.

“We have a very good chance according to our legal team. They say we have a 50% plus chance of winning because the inspector’s report used words such as 'severe’ and 'significant’.” South Bucks District Council (SBDC) refused the application to change the use of Pioneer House from offices to a secondary school in January, and a two-day planning inquiry in July led to inspector Ava Wood recommending refusal to Mr Pickles.

However, he overturned her decision as he felt a rejection on noise grounds was not enough to outweigh the 'broader socio-economic benefits of the school’ and the Government’s free school policy.

SBDC is also considering whether or not to lodge a challenge. Cllr Duncan Smith, cabinet member for resources, said at the meeting last week he believed 'there is a strong will to take this forward’, and the Conservative group was due to make a decision on Monday, although that decision will not be revealed until the next full council meeting on October 28.

Cllr Trevor Egleton, Bucks County Council member for Stoke Poges and Wexham, said: “Not only would it half the costs, but it would look better if we did a joint action.

“I am very heartened by the barrister saying there is a 50% chance, and it is a very clear indication that there is a case there and there is a challenge.”