Much-needed expansion plans at Montessori Academy have been rejected -- leaving the school with its future development in tatters.

For the second time in two years the National Trust has thrown out proposals to develop their 11 acre Tivoli site in Warwick.

The plan had received support from the Planning Department and from some Trust members, but failed after a majority vote of the 13 members on Wednesday.

Now the future of the building could be in doubt as the school's lease runs out in 2001 and there are fears the site could be in jeopardy if the current tenant is not allowed to invest.

Montessori wanted to demolish a barn and replace it with a two-storey facility to accommodate the extra demand for spaces and create a middle school.

A wetland, bird sanctuary, model farm and re-forestation of the project were also included. In addition, they wanted to extend their current ten-year lease to 99 years.

But although Planning Director Brian Rowlinson advised that, details pending, the proposal respected the integrity and character of the building, the plan was rejected.

William Wanklyn, chairman of the board of governors, said it was too early to comment on the decision.

But former chairman and current board member Margie Gordyk said she was shocked and disappointed at the news.

She said they had been excellent tenants and questioned where the Trust would find the money to preserve such a site.

"What we were going to do was replace a barn,'' she said. "When we took over we renovated it with help from parents. When you look at the area, the school is the most desirable building there.

"Our next step may be to see if there are any bordering properties someone might be willing to sell, so we can expand and move forward.'' National Trust director Amanda Outerbridge said it was a major decision for the Trust to make, since the lease extension would bind future generations for 99 years.

"The council wanted to be sure that if they made such a commitment, they were 100 percent comfortable with it,'' she said.

"There was lengthy discussion on the issue, which has numerous ramifications for the school and Trust.

"The council has decided to speed up completion of the management plan for this property to guide us through any future decision with regard to Tivoli.'' Previously, the school had plans to build in Devonshire but time and capital restraints doomed the project.

A move to Southside, St. Davids, also came to nothing and the school was left with the option of developing Tivoli. And in 1997, plans to add a classroom were turned down by the Trust.

Days ago, in a letter to National Trust property manager Steve Conway, Mr.

Rowlinson said he personally felt it was a magnificent site for a school.

In the correspondence, which was leaked to the Royal Gazette , he stated that his personal opinions did not affect his professional advice on the subject.

He added that he believed the now deceased owner, Miss Gloria Higgs, who left the property to the National Trust, would be happy to see the place being used as a school.

Mr. Rowlinson said he was disappointed that a National Trust council member saw fit to copy a private letter to the Press.

Montessori plan thrown out "Presumably it was designed to embarrass me in some way, it does not embarrass me,'' he said.

He added that giving advice to those submitting planning applications was a daily occurrence in his department. "I accept that in this case I probably went a little further than usual including some personal comments,'' he added.

Brian Rowlinson Amanda Outerbridge