Green light for 8ft fence to be built around Sheffield school's playing fields
Officials say move will improve safety
Eight foot high fencing is set to be installed around a Sheffield primary school’s playing fields in a move which officials say will improve safety.
However, there are concerns that children will not be able to access the playing fields to play outside of school hours.
Beck Primary School, on Beck Road, Shiregreen, has been given the green light to put a 2.4m (7ft 10ins) fence around the site, to including the playing fields. In the past, only a low fence has encircled the playing fields, although a tall fence is around the main building.
The school told Sheffield Council in a planning application, which was approved on Tuesday (October 13): “The works include the erection of a 2.4m high weld mesh fence to secure the school's playing field to ensure that children have a safe area to undertake extra curricular activities.”
It has been done with police approval, with South Yorkshire Police’s designing out crime officer issuing a statement of support.
It stated: “Fencing of this specific type and height is aesthetically pleasing, offers high transparency with minimal visual impact, and serves as an effective physical deterrent. It will significantly improve boundary security, protect the area, and, most importantly, safeguard the children, staff, and visitors on site. “
They said it would give a reasonable level of security while successfully maintaining a welcoming, suitable environment for an educational setting.
Coun Mick Lee, who represents Shiregreen on Sheffield Council, said: “I can understand the need for doing it for safeguarding issues, but at the same time the lack of historical access is disappointing.”
The school and Cascade Multi Academy Trust have both been approached for comment.