Agenda item

Erection of 1.8m high metal mesh boundary paladin fence. [Bishopthorpe Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered a full application by City of York Council for the erection of a 1.8m high metal mesh boundary paladin fence at Archbishop of York Church of England Junior School, Copmanthorpe Lane, Bishopthorpe, York.

An officer update was given. Members were informed that a further objection letter had been received from a Bishopthorpe resident and parent of a child attending the school. There had also been an additional Officer assessment on the setting of the Bishopthorpe Conservation Area which was on the eastern corner of the site which the land laid adjacent to.

Referring to paragraph 134 of the NPPF and Policy D4 (Conservation Areas) of the Publication Draft Local Plan 2018, Officers advised that whilst the proposed fencing would be most visible along this corner with the conservation area boundary, it was considered that it would cause very limited harm to the setting of the adjacent conservation area. With regard to the requirements of the NPPF, the harm is considered to be outweighed by the public benefit of added security to the school site and the improved protection of the staff and children at the school.

Morwenna Christian, (local resident representing residents on Copmanthorpe Lane), spoke in objection to the application. She noted that the fencing around the perimeter would be out of keeping for the area and impacted on wildlife (particularly the hedgehog population) by not allowing connectivity through the fence. She suggested that there were alternatives to the fencing such as closing the school gate and allowing the hedge around the perimeter to grow.

Jonathan Green, Headteacher at Archbishop of York Junior School, spoke in support of the application. He explained that the school had paid for a health and safety officer to carry out a check of the school and had found that the site was very open. Mr Green advised that a fence was needed to meet Ofsted requirements and he highlighted the health and safety issues identified during the Ofsted health check. Mr Green confirmed that hedgehog tunnels could be installed into the fence, and the hedge could be allowed to grow.

A member asked whether Mr Green had considered letting the hedge grow. Mr Green explained that whilst the hedge could be allowed to grow, it was not strong enough to keep people out of the school site. In response to a further question, Mr Green stated that the hedge could be allowed to grow to the same height of the fence (1.8m).

Following debate on the application, and clarification from Officers Cllr Gillies moved the recommendation with the addition of an amendment to condition that the hedge around the perimeter of the school be allowed to grow to the height of the fence (1.8m). This was seconded by Cllr Shepherd and it was:

Resolved: That the application be approved subject to the additional condition that wherever possible, the hedge around the perimeter of the school be allowed to grow to 1.8m and not beyond that height.

Reason:     Whilst it is acknowledged that the erection of the fence would result in some harm to the rural appearance of the area contrary to policy D1, it is considered that in the planning balance this harm is outweighed by the need to provide a secure perimeter for the school.