Cheshire County Council granted planning permission for the new Thomas Wedge Junior School, Saughall, on Friday.

But Hazel Blears, secretary of state for communities and local government, could still decide to call a public inquiry.

If a public inquiry is not launched, plans to build a new school and demolish the existing Thomas Wedge school building will go ahead.

Hannah Parish, environmental planning officer for the county council, said Ms Blears had 21 days to decide whether to launch an inquiry.

Council planning chiefs approved plans for the Ridings Infant School and Thomas Wedge Junior School to be amalgamated, but some locals have been opposed to the proposals, which include the possible demolition of the current junior premises.

Cheshire County Council said in a statement: "The new school would be constructed on the existing playground to the west of Thomas Wedge Junior School and, once built, there are plans to demolish the existing Thomas Wedge Junior School.

"The application site lies within the Cheshire green belt.

"However, very special circumstances have been provided, stating that there is an overriding need for a through primary school in the village and it is considered that openness of the green belt would not be significantly harmed by the proposal."

Villagers are unhappy about the possibility of demolishing the current school, an historic building that was extended a few years ago.

Paul Whitton, a governor at Thomas Wedge school, said: "It looks as if it could be demolished. I think it's been a public waste of money with the new extension they put on a few years ago.

"I'm not against the new school, but I would like them to use the current school instead of turning it into a car park.

"It's possible that we could use part of the building for local people."

The proposed school would provide room for around 310 pupils and 10 classrooms.

The design brief also places a strong emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency, both in the construction and running of the new school.

County councillor Brian Jones raised concerns about parking on Church Road at Friday's meeting, and asked if a drop-off point for parents could be included inside the school.

But a report before the committee said experience showed that drop-off areas caused extra safety problems, rather than solving them.

It was also said such points were against the advice from the Safer Route to School team.

If the plans did go before a public inquiry and were refused, a new application would have to be submitted to the council.

Otherwise, the new school would go ahead, along with the subsequent demolition of the current Thomas Wedge building.

Work is due to begin on the site this month, with plans for the new school to be open in September 2009.