HOPES for a new primary school in Whiteley have been dashed as council bosses upheld their decision to block the controversial plans.

Winchester City Council's Cabinet will recommend to the full council that it should not lease out the Meadowside Recreation Ground to Hampshire County Council as the site for a new school.

The decision ended hopes for residents who signed a petition to get the school built there but it was welcomed by those fighting to save Whiteley's only open space.

The surprise move to revisit the issue over whether or not to lease the land was made last month after the full council received a petition containing 1,301 signatures calling for the use of the Meadowside Recreation Ground.

Campaigners from Whiteley's Action for Children's Education (ACE) have been fighting for the building of a primary school on the Meadowside after the alternative site, the Bunney Land, was rejected.

However, the Meadowside Action Groups (MAG) and Whiteley Parish Council have been against plans for the Meadowside, claiming that the Bunney Land is a better alternative.

After hearing arguments from both sides, councillors concluded that circumstances had not changed enough to warrant a U-turn.

Winchester City Council leader George Beckett said: "On balance we are right in our original decision. One supports the need for a new school, but having the school in the right place - but in some years' time - is better than having the school in the wrong place in the short-term with the permanent loss of playing fields."

The decision was welcomed by members of MAG, who are in favour of building a new school but not on the Meadowside.

Kairen Groves, who spoke at the meeting, said: "We do not wish to see a school built on it because we feel strongly that the Meadowside is a vital asset for the whole community, well used and enjoyed by residents of all ages, as well as many sports teams."

However ACE members fear that Whiteley will not now see a new primary school until after the London Olympics in 2012.

James Sandfield, ACE member, said: "This is what we expected. Why would Winchester City Council be big enough to go back on the decision they already made? This will mean that over the next seven years, 210 children will travel one million miles just to get to and from schools."