A union has claimed proposals to hand over the running of Norfolk's adult education service to colleges are motivated by hopes of selling off Wensum Lodge.

Unison said it could see 'no sound financial basis' for the plans by the county council, which remain at an early stage.

Last night the politician responsible for adult education insisted there were 'no plans to sell it at this stage' although he admitted it could be a possibility in the future.

Jonathan Dunning, Norfolk branch secretary for Unison, has questioned the council's motives for talking to Norfolk's four further education colleges about the possibility of them taking over some of the courses.

He said: 'Adult education doesn't cost the county council anything. It's self funding. What it gets covers all of its costs. So why is the county council asking to do this?

'The motivation may well be to release the assets.'

Wensum Lodge, on King Street in Norwich city centre, hosts a large number of the county's adult education courses.

Unison said plans – being looked at by Norwich City Council – to breathe new life into the area with restaurants, cafés, homes and a car park, would make the premises a 'prime location'.

Mr Dunning said: 'That's going to be a significant growth area for the foreseeable future.

'We think these proposals are more about off-letting buildings and releasing council assets rather than the best interests of the service.'

But Barry Stone, cabinet member for cultural services at Norfolk County Council, insisted the aim of the talks was to ensure the authority continued to offer as good a service as it currently did despite funding cuts from the Skills Funding Agency.

He agreed Wensum Lodge would be a key site in the possible redevelopment of the King Street area but said: 'We have had no offers to buy Wensum Lodge and we have no plans to sell it.

'What will happen in the future is debatable but no decision has been made, nor will be made until a future date.'

Some learners have complained that they have not been told anything about the plans.

Jennifer Holland, assistant director of community services, apologised to anyone who felt uninformed and explained the authority was still at the stage of looking at different options.

In the meantime, the county council said courses published in the summer listings would go ahead as long as student numbers were high enough – and Wensum Lodge would still be open in September.

An online petition against the proposals has been launched by learners.