MIDDLE class residents who shout the loudest have dominated a consultation on school catchment areas, campaigners have claimed.

More wealthy residents living around the Fiveways area of Brighton have shaped a catchment system to the detriment of less wealthy residents living in East Brighton, a council committee has heard.

Opponents to the catchment areas said the current proposals were unfair because some residents living centrally will have a choice of three schools while East Brighton residents will have no choice.

At a special children, young people and skills committee meeting yesterday, city councillors agreed to put the reform on hold because of uncertainty over the location of the new secondary free school.

It had been expected that formal consultation on the plans would begin this autumn but will now not take hold for 2018/19.

Council officials are now exploring options for a temporary site for the school because of delays in confirming either Brighton General Hospital or City College as the permanent site.

Green councillor Alex Phillips sought confirmation that pupils would not be taught in temporary classrooms but council officials said it was too early to commit with sites that could accommodate temporary buildings and existing buildings that could be adapted both being considered.

Campaigner Hayley Deeley called for the whole process to be started again saying it was “totally flawed” while committee non-voting member Amanda Mortensen said the preferred option for the overhaul had been shaped by the “middle class shouting the loudest”.

Labour councillor Daniel Chapman said there was no “silver bullet” to satisfy everyone.