NEW security fencing has been agreed for the Sir John Colfox School at Bridport.

The new 2.4metre green wire welded mesh fencing will replace existing chainlink and heras fencing around the main school site as a means of improving security for pupils.

Said a statement from a planning consultant on behalf of the school: “The main site is currently unsecure with no control points around the perimeter of the site and buildings including the outdoor areas where pupils generally congregate.

"The site is used as a cut through between the Ridgeway and Dodham’s Lane by members of the public which presents a significant risk to pupils and staff…The proposal aims to encapsulate the school playing fields and general external circulation areas where intrusion has been a persistent issue.”

The new fence will be fitted with some gates for pedestrian and emergency access vehicles which will be fitted with secure locks and linked to the fire alarm system to ‘fail safe’ in the event of an alarm sounding.

Some trees and hedging will need to be cut back to allow for the new fencing, although the contractors say no trees will need to be felled.

Bradpole parish council did not object to the proposed fencing although one neighbour in Dodhams Farm Close claimed “The fence is going to be very visible from my garden and quite overpowering on top of an already huge slope…There is no reason for the fence to be this close to my back garden and encroaching on my views and could easily be moved closer to Dodhams Lane.”