CONTROVERSIAL plans to open a 'free school' in Williton have been put on hold after fewer than expected prospective parents voted on the idea.

Although half of the parents who did vote on the issue were in favour of setting up a new secondary school to rival the existing West Somerset Community College, the turnout was far lower than anticipated.

Ian Bradbury, the headteacher of Williton's Danesfield Middle School and the driving force behind the free school bid, declined to reveal exactly how many parents had voted.

But he said a combination of factors had meant governors felt they had little choice but to defer making an application to open a free school for pupils aged between 13 and 16 within the existing middle school site.

Following a governors' meeting on Wednesday to discuss the outcome of the parental vote, Mr Bradbury said: "A number of key governors were not present due to illness; one is also currently in hospital.

"We had a far lower turnout than we had expected and even though one in two said they would choose to open a free school the governing body felt it was right to delay the application.

"That means we won't be submitting a bid to open a free school in September 2013, but we may look towards the following year.

"At the moment we have simply deferred the decision."

He said he was surprised and disappointed more parents had not voted on what was essentially "an extremely important issue".

"We all thought we would get a far bigger turnout and it will be interesting to see what happens now.

"The community college has asked us to talk with them and deciding to defer will give our governors the opportunity to talk to the college and ask what they propose as a way forward," Mr Bradbury said.

Community college principal Nick Swann and college chairman of governors Martin McNeill were among the most vociferous opponents to Mr Bradbury's plans.

In a letter sent to college parents, the pair said children's needs were already well met in the district and said the free school plans would weaken existing provision, while providing free school pupils with a limited curriculum and no specialist teaching.

Mr Bradbury was adamant a free school in Williton would provide parents with choice, meet a recognised demand and improve GCSE performance.

Free schools can be set up by parents, teachers, charities and other groups and are funded directly by the Government.

They are not allowed to be run for profit and are independent of local authority control, giving those in charge an element of flexibility over all aspects of school life, including the curriculum.

To set up a free school in Williton, Mr Bradbury had to show there was demand and support from parents, set out the new school's aims, curriculum and teaching methods, outline the proposed site and formulate an extensive business plan and admissions policy.

All parents were given one vote per pupil, either for or against the idea of a free school.

If the turnout had been higher, an application would have been lodged with the Government before the end of February and, if successful, the new free school would have been up and running in September 2013.