A PLAN to expand a popular primary school’s intake threefold could go ahead – despite objections from the school, governors and parents.

Brighton and Hove City Council received more than 330 letters of objection after they filed plans to increase pupil numbers at St Andrew’s Church of England Primary School in Belfast Street.

The expansion is set to go before the council’s children and young people committee today. But the school governors are refusing to back the plans until they are looked at again by the local authority.

Council bosses argue the expansion is vital given the growing need for primary school places – especially in the south and central Hove areas.

The plan states other nearby schools have already expanded and St Andrew’s is regularly oversubscribed.

In a public consultation 51 people pledged their support for the proposal with 331 objecting.

Many people are worried about the impact of new buildings. The plans would see two new blocks at the front and back of the school linked by a corridor.

Parents are concerned about the disruption the work might cause and the loss of playground and playing field space.

Forty-five people called on the council to consider building on the Haddington Street car park site adjacent to the school.

Given the strength of feeling, the governors have asked the council to look again at the proposal.

The governors have asked the council to meet parents to listen to concerns, submit new plans including the use of Haddington Street car park and reconsider their timetable for the work.

The committee, to meet at Hove Town Hall at 4pm, is expected to recommend taking a fresh look at the plans.