THE controversial plan for an academy to replace a struggling high school has been delayed for a year after it got tangled in planning red tape.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has confirmed that Darwen Academy will not open until September 2008.

The academy was expected to open in September 2007 on the site of Darwen Moorland High School.

The £35million project involves knocking down 150 homes to create space for a 1,600-place school which will include a sixth form centre.

That building would have come into use in April 2008.

But Blackburn with Darwen's school organisation committee has put the start date back a year after being told the 'planning process had been slower than expected'.

Around £2million of the cost is being met by Capita chairman Rod Aldridge's charitable trust, which will run the school and own the site.

The national row over whether businessmen should control of schools made the plan controversial, but the decision to bulldoze homes has served to make the process slower.

A public inquiry into demolition is due to be held after residents in Redearth Road objected.

Coun Dave Hollings, executive member for education and lifelong learning, said: "The opening date has been put back so the new school could start in its new building at the beginning of a new school year.

"Planning processes have to be completed before the land is available for building and this means that the school would not be ready to open earlier."

The Government has yet to approve the scheme.

Coun Sheila Williams, opposition spokesman for education, said: "They need to think very carefully about the site. I would rather they keep delaying it and get it right."