This is the first image of plans to build a new school on the edge of a popular park.

The Brighton Bilingual School wants to move into a new three-storey block at a storage site next to Hove Park and the British Engineerium by September 2014.

The free school claims its multi-million-pound plans for up to 630 pupils on land in The Droveway, Hove, would be a “significant investment in education provision in Brighton and Hove”.

But locals have expressed fears it will lead to urbanisation of an area which was gifted to residents as open space.

A planning application for the three-form school has now been submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council with a decision expected to be taken in October.

The application from Crawley-based Kier Construction said the site “represents the best opportunity to deliver the highest quality learning facilities in the heart of the community that the school serves.”

It added the council and community have been “very supportive” of its plans.

But Valerie Paynter, of campaign group Save Hove, said: “What you have is park land which they want to turn into a school.

“It is urbanisation of the park.”

The school, which teaches lessons in English and Spanish, is currently based at the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy in Falmer.