CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for new homes in their community are facing fresh concerns there will not be enough school places for new children coming into the area.

Residents battling the 230-home development in Cranleigh Road, Portchester, have expressed concerns after discovering the closest school to the proposed site is already full.

Recent figures from Hampshire County Council show Wicor Primary has 428 pupils on its books with an official capacity of just 413 - which means it is already four per cent over capacity.

One other primary school close by, Castle Primary, is also full.

It means that although there is sufficient school space in Portchester on paper, children moving to the new homes would have to travel to schools across the A27 if developers win an appeal to go ahead with the development.

Ward Councillor Roger Price said it would be dangerous for children to walk to school and if parents decided to drive them it would generate extra traffic.

He said: "A development which is 50 per cent affordable housing will bring in families, so there will be a lot of children expecting to get in to Wicor Primary.

"The two primary schools south of the A27 are both full to capacity. Any parent who has children of a primary age would have to go north of the A27 and the railway line to take them to school.

"It is dangerous and increases road traffic congestion."

He added: "This is another reason which shows the development is unsustainable in this area."

Schools in the north of Portchester including Northern Infant and Junior schools and Red Barn Community School are under capacity by an average of 30 per cent.

Projected figures for 2010 suggest Wicor and Castle Primary will still be full in four years' time and that it is an ongoing problem.

The schools issue is the latest in a string of concerns residents have raised over the new development which Fareham borough councillors rejected last year.

Damage to the character and wildlife of the quiet, rural area was also brought up at last week's government appeal, lodged by Gudgeon Developers Ltd who want the plans pushed through.

The result of the appeal is expected to be announced at the end of July.

A spokesman for Hampshire County Council said: "Currently there is not seen to be a shortage in terms of admissions.

"The school is full but there is no shortage for this September.

"In future years children would be judged for a place by using our admissions criteria. Priority can be given to children who live in the catchment area."