Fears have been raised over the proposed sale of school playing fields.

A consultation on the potential development of the school playing fields at the former Western Road site of Harbour Primary School in Newhaven has been started by East Sussex County Council.

The authority argues the land is no longer required following the merger of the school’s two sites.

However, a number of residents have questioned the sale, in particular worrying that there may be a shortage of school places in the future.

Now, Lewes MP Norman Baker has written to East Sussex County Council for clarification over the plans.

He said: “I have heard from local residents, and share their concerns, that the future of Newhaven is not being taken into consideration in the disposal of this site.”

Mr Baker questioned whether the council had given full consideration to future school places, as hundreds of new homes are proposed for the town in the next few years.

Lewes District Council’s core strategy document has indicated Newhaven will need to accommodate a minimum of 830 new houses, in addition to the 609 dwellings that have planning permission but are not yet built.

A spokesman for East Sussex District Council said a four-year rolling school organisation plan was in place to ensure sufficient school places for the projected number of pupils, but conceded that shortfalls may still occur.

The consultation runs until December 12.