A free school for Surbiton will open in the borough next year – but it will not be in Surbiton.

The Education Funding Authority has bought Swan House, in High Street, Kingston, with a view to opening The Surbiton Primary Academy next September.

A consultation meeting for parents was held in Tolworth Recreation Centre in October 2013, when GEMS Learning Trust (GLT) said it hoped to open the new school "in the Surbiton/Tolworth border".

Acting GLT chief executive Jodie Croft said: "They [the Education Funding Agency] tried to get it, obviously, in Surbiton. There just wasn't any. We had to delay for a year.

"The search for a site in Surbiton is continuing. We may look to grow.

"Demographics prove that there are several schools needed."

Opening a school in Swan House could relieve pressure on others nearby, she added.

The building will require extensive renovation, and parts of the block may need to be demolished.

It also raises questions over whether a new primary school is now needed within the north Kingston development area, which has been the subject of an ongoing battle between Kingston Council and land acquisition company Goldcrest.

Councillor Andrea Craig, lead member for schools, said: "We were surprised with the purchase of Swan House.

"The EFA obviously are responsible for finding buildings in this situation and we, as an authority, have to make sure there's enough school places - that's as far as it goes.

"It may be disappointing for some parents in Surbiton, that it's locating to here."

Liberal Democrat opposition leader Coun Liz Green: "It's not really Surbiton at all. It's a complete and utter mess.

"If that goes ahead we might not need a school in north Kingston."

The Department for Education declined to comment, citing pre-election purdah, which bans government departments from publishing information that could be advantageous to any candidates or parties.

A spokesman said a planning application will be submitted in due course and a consultation will be held.