Midhurst town councillors have called for closer links with West Sussex County Council over the planning for the new academy-style secondary school in the town.
The call came just days after the county council announced the grammar school was its preferred site for the new development.
And it was made as chairman of the town council Colin Hughes handed over a 3,000-name petition urging the county to keep
the school in Midhurst.
Mr Hughes and fellow town councillor Stephen Morley met Peter Griffiths, the man who is set to become WSCC cabinet member for schools and education for the handover at Capron House on Friday.
During what Mr Hughes described as a 'positive and encouraging' meeting, the town councillors outlined their principal concerns about the academy development.
They called for the building of bridges between the two authorities after the public consultation process which left many members of the community believing the schools debate was already a 'done deal'.
"We had several questions for Mr Griffiths which we hope he will answer soon," said Mr Hughes.
"We want to know what will happen to Capron House and the Memorial Hall and whether the academy sponsors, the United Learning Trust (ULT), will take on board their importance to the town and will allow community use of their facilities.
"We also want to know what will happen to the sports hall and whether ULT will take it over and are aware that it was built with the intention of being used by the community as well as the school.
"We also want to know to what extent the plan to provide better facilities for the Youth Club alongside the sports hall, will be honoured by ULT."
Mr Hughes added: "My concern is that we have a corporate body here in the shape of ULT that will deliver a brand to Midhurst as it does nationally.
"Unfortunately this does not always allow individuals to flourish or necessarily reflect a rural community and we would like assurances this is not the case."
He said Midhurst Town council was also concerned about how the academy's governing body would be made up and how much
representation there would be from the county council and the community.
"We are cautiously optimistic," said Mr Hughes, "about future consultation, and we want to be part of the planning process.
"As representatives of the Midhurst community, we should be involved."
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