A NUMBER of children in Bovingdon may not be able to go to school in the village this year because of the high demand for places.

There have been 107 applications for the 60 places available at Bovingdon School, High Street, Bovingdon, this year.

Some of these places will go to children who live outside Bovingdon, at the cost of those who live in it, because their siblings are already at the school.

Speaking at Bovingdon Parish Council meeting on Monday, February 7, Dacorum Borough Councillor Richard Roberts said the situation was due to the dips and rises in the population.

He said: "Bovingdon School is a popular, well-run school. People want to go there.

"This particular year, demand from children in the village has been high but in previous years it hasn't, so children from outside the village have got in.

"If those children have younger siblings they can also get in."

Richard Briden, chair of the parish council, said this situation needs to be considered every time there is a planning application for high-density housing.

More homes for families in the area would put even more pressure on the demand for places at the village school.

Bovingdon School declined to comment on the issue.