EXASPERATED resident Rob Emmett has criticised Chiseldon Primary School for ignoring its neighbours in pursuit of selfish goals.

At a Swindon Council planning committee meeting, he opposed the school's proposal to relocate a mobile building.

Mr Emmett, 50, from Chiseldon, said: "The school is constructing an empire of buildings, not learning. Our children are being used as a blackmailing tool to obtain planning permission."

The school is applying for temporary permission, lasting three years, to relocate and extend the existing mobile building.

But Mr Emmett claims that residents were not consulted about the project, which he argues will block their view of Liddington Castle.

"It is about time the school started listening to its neighbours because scores of people oppose this application.

"The building is a blight on the landscape and will further spoil our view."

The £40,000 building has been empty since November because it failed to comply with building regulations.

Mr Emmett has compiled a 19-signature petition against the proposal to move it and said that many parents are too scared to speak out.

He said: "Parents are keeping quiet for fear of their children being put at a disadvantage."

The council's technical services department is handling the project to re-site the mobile building, which comprises four classrooms, a staff room, store and toilet block.

Councillor Charles Lister (Con, Abbey Meads) said: "It is a shame we have this existing ghastliness when there seems to be room for a proper building on the northern boundary."

He also lamented that the children's education was being used as a lever to get the planning go-ahead.

Alister MacNaught attended the meeting on behalf of Chiseldon Primary School's governing body and appealed for the application to move the building not to be further delayed.

He said: "The pressure on the school after one of their most difficult years would be unfairly exacerbated if this application were deferred."

He said that the mobile classroom has been unoccupied for nearly 12 months and caused disruptions with teaching arrangements.

The decision was delegated to the council's development control team and borough architect. The full costs of the project will be calculated once a solution is reached.

John Dickens, head teacher at Chiseldon Primary, said the school would work with all the relevant officials and residents to find an acceptable solution is found.