It is false to say plans for the Bilingual Primary School ensure it will not be directly accessed through Hove Park (Letters, September 11).
There is a direct access point into the park over the miniature railway area very deliberately and actually within the planning application documentation drawings.
The Brighton and Hove Miniature Railway Society objected to the application as it threatens their leasehold interest in the area they control and have responsibility for.
Those supporting this application note that the miniature railway is not open during school hours and yet they consider it absolutely normal that in their absence they should have access through a school gate, into and over the railway area, and through their surrounding gated railings into the park.
Indeed, the plans indicate this would be a main pedestrian entry point from Goldstone Crescent where they wish to park cars while dropping children off.
Valerie Paynter for saveHOVE
The proposed brownfield site for the Bilingual Primary School at Hove Park depot was actually earmarked as suitable for a new primary school under the previous Conservative council administration and the current plans do not infringe on Hove Park itself or on the wonderful miniature railway, which we all want to protect.
As a parent of a child at the Bilingual Primary School, I am delighted that the children of Brighton and Hove now have the opportunity to receive a free bilingual education in our city.
The proposed new school building will not only help to alleviate the dire shortage Hove faces in primary school places, it will extend the opportunity of a bilingual education to hundreds of local children.
An increasing body of research shows how bilingualism boosts creativity and the ability of children to learn so that they not only have the advantage of a second language (in this case Spanish) and greater appreciation of different cultures, but are better equipped to succeed in other school subjects as well.
I urge local families, councillors and the planning committee to support this school.
Alex Miller, Chair of Bilingual Primary School PTA
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