A Rawdon school governor claims the community is in danger of losing out on a new school.

Cyril Snell, a governor of Rawdon Littlemoor Primary School, believes if planning permission is not given by the end of this month funding will be withdrawn.

The Harrogate Road school, which is very cramped and in urgent need of new premises, could be rebuilt on playing fields off the A65 New Road Side.

But more than 500 people have signed a petition against the Education Leeds proposals with a further 230 writing their objections to the council that the scheme would increase traffic problems on New Road Side and mean the loss of open space.

The scheme, which would be paid for out of Government Private Finance Initiative money, was deferred at the last meeting of Leeds City Council's area planning panel because of the level of concern and is due to be decided at the next panel meeting later this month. But Mr Snell says if permission is turned down the PFI money will be withdrawn.

"If we don't get outline planning permission by the end of September the PFI will drop Littlemoor out of its programme," he said.

Mr Snell, who has been accused by a parent of the school for criticising those who object to the plans for New Road Side, said he believed parents of Littlemoor children should support the scheme.

"I cannot believe that a parent could be so hostile to a new school. We have been waiting for more than 20 years and if planning permission is not given this month it will mean two generations of schoolchildren will not have an acceptable school."

Kevin Exley, who has two children at the school, challenged Mr Snell following a plans meeting in Leeds to discuss the school scheme.

Mr Exley said: "He told me I should be ashamed of myself for protesting. I think it was not the right thing for him to say. I'm not against a new school and I don't think any of the residents are, it is only the siting of the school that we think is inappropriate.

"It is in my interests that my kids go to a good school, but where they (Education Leeds) are planning is not a good place to have it because of the traffic implications."

Councillor Graham Latty (Con, Aireborough) said: "If the school is turned down at the next planning meeting, Rawdon will miss the boat and it could be years before a new school is built."

Coun Latty said he was very keen for a new school, but wanted every other alternative to be exhausted first.