Brompton Hall School, Scarborough: Council approves plan to build fence to prevent ‘high flight risk’ of pupils

Around 345 metres of 2.4m high paladin fencing can be installed around the perimeter of the school as well as in areas “where sections of the site need to be segregated”, North Yorkshire Council has ruled.

The Venn Academy Trust said its application was in “response to a number of safeguarding issues” and that the works had been agreed with the Department for Education which had provided funding to support the scheme.

Planners recommended approval of the scheme despite “acknowledging that the appearance of the fence is stark and at odds with its environment”.

Located in Brompton-By-Sawdon, the school provides support for young people with social, emotional and mental health difficulties to successfully engage in academic and vocational learning opportunities and to access pathways into further education, work and adult life.

The Venn Academy Trust, which took ownership of the site less than two years ago, said there was a “high flight risk at the school resulting in the need to protect all boundaries”.

It added that there were “also a number of areas which could be accessed by trespassers”.

Brompton Hall School’s main building is a “prestigious” Grade-II Listed building that forms part of the historic heart of the village and sits within extensive grounds.

The Venn Academy Trust said that the aim of the works was to safeguard the pupils and “reduce the risk of harm should a child attempt to stray beyond the boundary”.

Brompton By Sawdon Parish Council supported the proposals while one letter of objection was received from a member of the public who argued the fencing would be “unsightly for the beautifully natural village”.

However, the planning authority said it did not consider the fencing to be detrimental to the character and setting of the listed building.

Submitted plans highlighted that the works were necessary to safeguard the pupils and reduce the risk of harm should a child attempt to stray beyond the boundary.

Officers concluded that the scheme would preserve the setting of the listed building “as all works contribute to the long-term stability of the heritage asset and will ensure its continued presence and use”.