Borough school set to fence off fields to avoid anti-social behaviour

Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley has been given the go ahead to erect fences, more than two metres tall, around the perimeters of its playing fields.

This includes new fencing around Hope Park, where some areas of open space and sports courts have been leased to the high school for over nine years now.

The dark green fencing would link into some existing fences, preventing public access to the school site, but would cut off a path next to the playing fields.

In a written statement submitted to the planning committee, the school’s director of business and finance Alex Gallimore said there is evidence of drug use, arson and anti-social behaviour taking place on the school’s grounds.

He said: “There have been a series of incidents over the past few years where students have been exposed to unacceptable health and safety risks including injuries, safeguarding risks and disruption to curriculum activities.

“The current measures in place are not suitable or sufficient and do not meet minimum safeguarding requirements in line with Ofsted recommendations.”

A public right of way which runs through the school site along Printshop Lane and another footpath on the southern side of Hope Park will not be affected.

But a pedestrian route running from Lodge Lane through the playing fields and along the side of Sacred Heart School, will be closed off by the new fencing.

Wigan council received 18 letter of objections to the planning application with many commenting on the loss of public access to open space it would

cause.

The planning committee voted to approve the application on Tuesday with all councillors except for Leigh East councillor Fred Walker voting in favour of the new fencing.

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