A LITTLEHAMPTON education facility can now erect fences up to nine feet tall to protect pupils from ‘trespassers’.
The Flintstone Centre, on East Street, is one of several West Sussex Alternative Provision Colleges for teens aged 11-19.
As part of a ‘safeguarding programme’ rolled out across West Sussex schools, the centre can now put up fences between six and a half and nearly ten feet tall.
Flintstone Centre, Google 2
According to a design statement there have been ‘several reports’ of trespassers ‘regularly’ accessing the site from the south east boundary.
There’s also ‘poor protection from falling’ into a basement at the premises.
According to the college, the fence will also secure pupils away from ‘steady volumes of traffic’ on surrounding roads.
The building is currently surrounded by flint walls and fencing at various heights up to three metres (or 9.8 feet) tall.
For Reference Only, Copyrighted On Planning Portal Shows Fencing Plan
Arun District Council’s Planning Committee approved the plans on Wednesday (25 May).
Chair Terence Chapman (Con, East Preston) said: “Security at this site has always been an issue.”
The plans include a three metre mesh fence along a section of the northern boundary and along the rear elevation; ornamental fencing and gates next to the southern side entrance; and a three metre mesh fence to close off the boiler room at the rear.
A side extension and ramped access will also be demolished.
The college has been trying to get planning permission for a new fence since at least 2020. But it had to resubmit plans as the building and flint wall are listed and within the East Street Conservation Area and the original fences were deemed to have a ‘harmful impact’.
Littlehampton Town Council and ten residents objected to the plans because they felt the tall, mesh fencing would be ‘ugly’ and have a ‘detrimental impact’.
But planning officers judged that this ‘would not result in material harm’.
More details about the plans can be found at the council’s planning portal using reference LU/54/22/PL
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