A land acquisition group that was locked in battle with Kingston Council over a chunk of the town centre has submitted plans for a new primary school – igniting a war of words with councillors.

Goldcrest Land has produced an outline application for the two-form, 420-place school, which it said should be built on the council-owned Canbury Place car park.

That is opposite the bitterly-disputed Kingsgate business centre, where councillors had hoped to build a school.

Goldcrest has since sold on the land, having won planning permission to build student flats there after a public inquiry last November.

Goldcrest said the school could open in September 2017, if permission was granted, and claimed strong support from residents.

But Councillor Andrea Craig, lead member for schools, said: “I don’t understand what they’re doing now. It’s mischief making.

“They’re obviously unhappy because we have always opposed their proposal for student flats. The best place for the school was their site.”

A Goldcrest spokesman said plans similar to these were shown to senior councillors and planning chief Viv Evans last June.

He said: “Goldcrest know that there is a pressing need for a new primary school in Kingston. This is the only deliverable option on the land within the council’s ownership in the vicinity.

“Goldcrest has undertaken a number of initiatives at its own cost, including an extensive survey of residents.

“We do not believe helping to create a new school in the area is ‘mischief-making’.”

Council leader Kevin Davis said: “Goldcrest are not welcome in Kingston. They are a nasty breed of developer who have no interest in our town, except in them maximising profits at the community’s expense.

“I am glad that the aggressive position we have taken with them to date has meant they have had to sell up and get out of Kingston.”