The private school's planning consultants – the Wetherby-based Land and Development Practice – were due to attend a public meeting about the scheme on Thursday, August 7.

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But hours before the meeting the firm issued a statement saying it would not be turning up.

Managing director Peter Torrible said it wanted more time to consider alternative proposals from the Leeds Girls' High School Action Group for the site in Headingley.

Mr Torrible also stressed that the firm would be prepared to attend another meeting with "interested parties" at a future date.

Today, though, the no-show was condemned as "disappointing and unacceptable" by Leeds North West Lib Dem MP Greg Mulholland. He accused the school of failing to treat the Headingley community with "the respect it deserved".

Pam Bone, chairman of the action group, which is spearheading opposition to the school's development plans, said: "All we were looking for was a 20-minute presentation – sadly, we didn't get it."

The absence of the consultants did not prevent Thursday night's event from going ahead, however.

Nearly 100 people heard from Mr Mulholland and action group representatives at the meeting, held at the Cardigan Centre in Hyde Park.

LGHS is seeking planning permission for dozens of flats and terrace houses at its old campus on Headingley Lane. Unhappy local residents, however, say the proposals do not take sufficient account of the needs of the community.

The Headingley site has become surplus to requirements ahead of next month's move by LGHS to Alwoodley Gates as part of its merger with Leeds Grammar School.