School security fencing at St Stephens C of E Primary School, Bury

“The application is for the erection of new 2.4m high boundary fencing, new internal 1.8m high fence and new 2.4m high access gates to replace the existing at the school entrance.”

“The new 2.4m high fence would be a weldmesh type and would run from the boundary with the rear of No 22 Colville Drive westwards along the rear of houses up to No 45 Newington Drive. It would be off-set from the boundary with these neighbours by 1.5m.”

“Description The application relates to a primary school which is located within an established residential area. The school is accessed via a short road from Colville Drive between Nos 12 and 14 which leads to the car park and the school buildings located in the southern part of the site with the school playing fields beyond to the north, east and west.”

“A linear piece of land at the school site along the north western boundary is part of the Barracks Lodge Site of Biological Importance (SBI) and a wooded area and the school playing fields are a Protected Species Site for Great Crested Newts (gcn)”

“Relevant Planning History 48200 - Single storey building and associated works for childcare services; extension to playground; additional parking provision - Approve with Conditions 22/08/2007 54309 - Installation of 2.4m high paladin fencing/gates & 4m high ball stop fencing (resubmission) - Approve with Conditions 28/09/2011 55188 - Installation of 2.45m high paladin fencing with single access gate.”

“Principle The proposed fencing would address the identified shortfall for compliance with the required safeguarding standards for the safety and the security of the children and the school.”

“It is therefore considered that given the siting and position of the fence the proposed development would be acceptable and comply with policies EN1/2, CF1/1, JP-P5, EN6/1 and EN6/3.”

“The high security CLD Rotop Rigid fencing will present us with a severe, imposing, prison-like appearance along our boundary wall. • There is no explanation of the 'high' safeguarding issues which require 2.4m fencing. • There are schools in the local area with much lower fencing on the roadside.”

“There should be no safety concerns and no need for a fence where the playing fields back onto the residents houses. • We are one community and no one is out to harm anyone in our neighbourhood. • The high fence would cause a visual block and take away part of the residents views. • Trees planted along the SBI site have already created a block to resident's views into the field.”

“St Stephens C Of E Primary School, Colville Drive, Bury, BL8 2DX 1. That the Committee Approved with Conditions the following application in accordance with the reasons put forward by the Development Manager in the report submitted and subject to all other conditions included: -”

“St Stephens C Of E Primary School, Colville Drive, Bury, BL8 2DX Erection of new 2.4m high boundary fencing and access gates…”

“Beneath all areas of the canopies of the trees/Root protection areas, all construction work for the development hereby approved must be 'hand-dig' only under arboricultural supervision. No storage of materials or equipment is allowed. Reason: To avoid the loss of trees which are of amenity value to the area pursuant to Policy EN1/2 - Townscape and Built Design and PfE Policy JP-G7 - Trees and Woodland.”