Brighton & Hove consults on potential school land release

Brighton & Hove City Council is consulting on plans to consolidate Hove Park School onto the Nevill Campus from September 2028, which would release the Valley Campus for disposal.

The disposal of Valley Campus is a central part of the proposal because the school is facing falling enrolment and financial pressure, following a reduction in its Published Admission Number from 300 to 180.

The decision-making process is still at an early stage. The council has reopened consultation because earlier feedback showed strong opposition and concern, especially about the lack of clear design information for the Nevill Road works. In response, architectural plans have now been commissioned so the community can better understand how the single-site school would operate before any final decision is taken.

Views are being gathered from pupils, parents, carers, staff, governors and the wider community through an online consultation and engagement events. After consultation closes on 25 May 2026, the responses will be analysed and used to decide whether to publish a statutory notice proposing closure of Valley Campus.

If that notice is published, there will be a four-week representation period from 8 June to 6 July 2026, allowing further comments on the proposal. Cabinet is then due to meet on 16 July 2026 to decide whether to proceed and to agree the disposal of Valley Campus. That decision will also depend on planning permission, because building works would be needed at Nevill Campus to provide enough classrooms and facilities for the whole school.

In short, the key issue is whether Valley Campus should be closed and disposed of as part of a move to a single-site school, with the final decision based on consultation feedback, statutory procedures, cabinet approval and planning considerations