AN MP has accused green campaigners of costing school children £100,000 in books, computers, tables and chairs by fighting plans for a £26m academy.

Durham County Council wants to build a Consett academy school on the town’s Belle Vue playing fields, as part of a wider £44m regeneration scheme.

But Consett Green Spaces Group (CGSG), which wants to save the land from development, has secured a judicial review of the verdict.

Now Pat Glass, Labour MP for North-West Durham, has said this would delay the school’s opening and cost more than £100,000 – money which could be spent on books, computers, desks and chairs for pupils.

"Increasing numbers of local parents and grandparents have been contacting me to express their concerns that their views are not being heard.

"They want the new academy to be a success and they want those in authority to get on and build the new school and leisure centre.

"In setting up the academy we made a deal with the young people of Consett. We promised them a state-of-the-art new school and it is time that we adults got on and fulfilled our part of the bargain."

Leaders of Consett’s junior football teams, who have been promised new facilities at Crookhall once the academy is built, are also unhappy at the delays.

However, John Campbell, chairman of CGSG, questioned why both had spoken up now, as the issue had been ongoing for several years.

"Pat Glass certainly wasn’t making any noises about this round election time," Mr Campbell said.

"I know we’ve got our critics. But all we’ve ever asked is for the council to consider all the (possible academy) sites.

"Pat Glass knows where we are and I’d be delighted to talk with her."

Consett Academy replaced Moorside Community Technology College and Consett Sports Community College earlier this month but opened in the old schools’ buildings. Council chiefs hope a new Belle Vue campus will open in 2014.

Councillor Claire Vasey, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said early design work had begun so a planning application could be submitted soon after the judicial review, which is expected within months.