Wakefield primary school to get new fencing and security upgrade to keep out ‘intruders’ and dogs
New fencing is to be installed as part of a security upgrade to improve safeguarding at a Wakefield primary school.
Horbury Bridge Academy said the measures were required to prevent trespassers and dogs entering the school site.
Proposals submitted to Wakefield Council on behalf of Enhanced Academy Trust include increasing the height of fencing to 2.4m next to the school’s playing field.
The trust said problems had also been caused for staff due to members of the public using school’s car park when visiting a local shop.
The council has also given the go-ahead for new pedestrian access gates, a video intercom system and for retractable bollards to be installed across the entrance driveway.
A statement prepared on behalf of the trust said: “The main vehicle and pedestrian access from Bridge Road is open to the public highway and, as such, members of the public are able to access the staff car park and pedestrian footpath.
“An assessment of the site has therefore raised safeguarding concerns over the height of the fencing and the level of protection it affords to pupils and staff, as the fence and gates can easily be scaled by either people wishing to trespass onto the school site or pupils wishing to abscond.”
The document said a wall beside the playing field was not high enough to keep out “intruders.”
It added: “The school advises that there have been several incidents in which neighbours’ dogs have been able to access the playing field during school hours by scaling the wall, which has caused alarm to pupils and staff.
“The staff car park is also used regularly by local residents during weekends, causing issues when school staff return to work on Monday mornings and are unable to park.
Five objections were submitted to the application by residents who described the new fencing as an “eyesore” and said it would “create an undesirable precedent.”
A planning officer’s report said: “The fencing would not appear significantly different to the existing situation and is considered to have a simple and functional appearance which is appropriate with the context of the site and its established use.”
The school dates back to the late 19th Century and has historic links with Horbury Bridge St John’s Church, which neighbours the site.