THE GROUP behind a controversial plan to turn a Stoke Poges office building into a Sikh academy are confident the final piece of the jigsaw will fall into place soon.

The Slough Sikh Education Trust (SSET) is hoping to sign a funding agreement with the Department for Education after Education Secretary Michael Gove last week approved the Pioneer UK site for use by a school.

The decision came after a long running campaign from villagers against the school, which saw a 5100-strong petition delivered to Downing Street last month.

Nick Kandola, chair of trustees for SSET, said: "We are hopeful a funding agreement will be reached soon.

"We have always been sure the DfE would approve of our objective to improve educational standards and on that basis we are confident an agreement will be made."

The original planning application for the Khalsa Secondary Academy was withdrawn the day before the hearing with South Bucks District Council after it was recommended for refusal.

But SSET are relying on new government planning rules which remove the need to obtain planning permission to change the usage of the building or its land, with a school able to open at the site for a period of 12 months.

Campaigners are still vehemently opposed to any school moving into the office complex on Hollybush Hill.

A statement from Stoke Poges Parish Council states: "Following the Secretary of State’s decision on Pioneer House, the Parish Council has been in detailed discussions with its legal advisors.

"Councillors are disappointed that the Department for Education has pressed ahead against the wishes of the majority of Stoke Poges residents."

Villagers are due to meet at a special meeting tomorrow night with MP Dominic Grieve to discuss recent developments and are planning further action to demonstrate their opposition.

Mr Gove’s decision has also been criticised by South Bucks District Council.

SBDC leader Adrian Busby said: "This latest decision means that local people will again be unable to voice their significant concerns over the many aspects of this development in the Green Belt.

"It also prevents the Local Planning Authority having any ability to determine the issue.

"As the action the Secretary of State is taking is within the framework of the recent legislative changes there are no grounds on which the District Council could take legal action."