An MP said the opening of a new secondary school could be delayed as Hertfordshire County Council and TFL struggle to strike a deal for the land.

Transport for London owns the land to the north of Baldwins Lane which has been earmarked for the Croxley Green Secondary School.

But one condition of the school opening in 2017 was that Hertfordshire County Council owned the land.

Negotiations have been dragging on, and the MP for South West Hertfordshire, David Gauke, admitted the opening date could be delayed if progress isn’t made over the next few weeks.

The school's public consultation was also delayed as the parties struggled to sign an agreement. 

Mr Gauke said: “What we do not want is to get into the process of Compulsory Purchase Orders.

“Essentially the county council has said that the land has not got planning permission for houses and it was not included in the plans, so trying to price it up as an area for residential development is not right.

“I think it is possible that the school could open in September 2017. If there is no progress over the next couple of weeks, that may change.

“Yes there is a risk it may not open then, but I think it can still be done.”

Hertfordshire County Council has been trying to buy the 30-acre site worth £3.5million since 2013.

TFL claims the land could be used as a “mixed development”, meaning houses could be built on the site alongside a school.

The council refused to be drawn on whether the land price had increased because of TFL’s proposals.

Figures released by Hertfordshire County Council show 1,396 pupils will need a secondary school place in Watford and by 2019, there will be a shortage of 165 places, with nearly 1,500 pupils needing a secondary school place.

In Rickmansworth, there will be shortage of 19 places in 2017, 58 places in 2018 and 52 places in 2019, if no additional places are created.

Croxley Green Secondary School has been identified as a council priority to reduce the pressure on school places.

Simon Hoggett, spokesman for Hertfordshire County Council, confirmed negotiations are still ongoing, but said the school is still scheduled to open in 2017.