School expansions in Hove are having a surprising impact on Portslade schools.

In arguing at a policy and resources meeting against the Conservative’s wish to convert part of King’s House to primary school use, Councillor Les Hamilton complained that there are school places going begging in Portslade because of new places available in Hove – more than 100 in one school alone.

After the meeting, Coun Hamilton indicated there is now an excess of some 300 places over seven schools in Portslade.

Arguments and officer input made it clear that the infant “bulge” has peaked and attention must shift now towards secondary place provision.

Sadly, all the talk is still about shortages of places. Well, they are not in Hove, it seems, which calls into question the justification for the now-withdrawn Bilingual Primary School application on the Hove Park depot site.

Valerie Paynter, saveHOVE