COUNCIL chiefs have given the go-ahead to moves to acquire land for a new village school in Pilning.

They set machinery in motion after being given low marks for their performance so far in securing a site for the new St Peter's Primary School.

The school was originally due to open in September this year but problems with finding a suitable site has put the date back to September 2010 at the earliest.

School governor Barry Keast told a South Gloucestershire Council cabinet meeting on Monday: "A school report on the efforts to date to provide the new school buildings must read 'three out of 10; must do better'."

Parents, staff and governors had endured frustration and uncertainty because of the delays, he said.

St Peter's was formed last year with the merger of Redwick and Northwick and Pilning schools.

The Church of England voluntary controlled school is currently operating in deteriorating buildings on two sites several miles apart.

"Governors have been finding it impossible do any long term planning," said Mr Keast, former chairman of the interim governing body set up to oversee the amalgamation.

"Some people have seen the delays as an attempt to renege on the promise to a build the new school.

"It is absolutely vital there is an end of this delay and uncertainty. We must have a decision today."

The estimated cost of the new school has soared from £3.8million to more than £5.1million - even without any upgrading of existing roads, footpaths or external lighting outside the site.

Cabinet members accepted recommendations to begin negotiations with the owner of the preferred site near Sage Cottage in Bank Road, Pilning, but the authority may ultimately be forced to invoke compulsory purchase powers.

The council's director for children and young people, Therese Gillespie, told the meeting: "We have homed in on a preferred site. We want to progress this and submit a planning application for the school as soon as we possibly can."

Local ward councillor Peter Tyzack said: "We all know it has taken a lot longer than we hoped. But there is a great deal of enthusiasm to achieve the best possible outcome.

"A buildings sub-committee has been set up and work is already going ahead on a school travel plan."