The decision, affecting Hackney Community College in east London, is seen as a pathfinder for tough new powers proposed for the Learning and Skills Council nationally and locally.

The move has infuriated staff and students and has caused questions to be asked in the House of Commons. Documents leaked to FE Focus, also suggest the local LSC may have exceeded its authority.

The sixth-form is being established at Hackney college’s Brooke House site but staff and students say the plans are being “bulldozed” through, with a “crazy” timetable.

Chrissie Farley, the principal, said: “The timescale proposed is not workable. It is simply not possible for us to vacate the centre by Christmas.” Over 3,000 students and 100 staff in the recently-refurbished site need to be relocated.

College governors planned to open the sixth form in September 2003, but Mary Conneely, executive director of the London East Learning and Skills Council, said this was not soon enough, and imposed the new September 2002 opening. All eyes are on Hackney as LSC-initiated changes are planned for Lambeth, Southwark, Islington and Coventry.

Brian Sedgemore, Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch, supports the sixth-form college, but is concerned about the handover.

In a letter to Education Secretary Estelle Morris he wrote that Ms Conneely had been driving forward the new establishment “with commendable enthusiasm but oblivious of the needs and interests of the community college.”

He adds: “There seem to be question marks over Ms Conneely’s judgment, understanding of the complexities of the handover and, alas, confrontational style.It would be a pity if the establishment of the sixth-form centre were to become mired in controversy. That being so I would hope that you could intervene as a matter of urgency.”

The local skills council declined to comment directly on the letter but said it had undergone extensive consultation with all local stakeholders, including Hackney.

“The Government aim is that Brooke House sixth-form college should be open to the first students by September 2002, fully staffed and with teaching facilities in place.

“The two colleges are intended to complement each other, and collaborative links will provide individuals with a wide choice of high quality courses and further education options,” said a spokeswoman.

Bryan Sanderson, chairman of the national LSC, said:“We will meet all reasonable costs of relocation of the provision (from Brooke House). We will also be prepared to speak to the local MPs.”