School reinstates fencing and puts up CCTV on field

Cotham School and the local community have been in a dispute about the playing field for years

Concerns have been raised after security measures, including fencing, cameras and a loudspeaker, were installed on a playing field.

A long running dispute over the use of Stoke Lodge playing fields, between Cotham School and local residents in Bristol, led to a high court ruling earlier this year that said the school did not have to share the field.

The school has now begun to reintroduce fencing, along with other security measures, which it said was to "ensure the site is safe and secure" for students.

But local campaign group We Love Stoke Lodge has written to Bristol City Council asking it to stop the school putting the fences up - arguing it needs to consult with local residents.

Bristol City Council, which owns the land the school is leasing from it, has declined to comment on the matter to the BBC.

Tall loud speakers have been installed to warn people to leave the area

The school and local residents have been in dispute over who can use the playing fields for years.

In 2019, the school erected a 6ft (2m) high fence around the land to allow uninterrupted PE lessons and to safeguard staff and pupils.

Residents said at the time the move deprived them of green space and Bristol City Council agreed to give the playing fields 'town and village green space' status in 2023.

However High Court Judge Paul Matthews ruled in June the field's status should be revoked - giving the school its legal ownership back.

Enda McMahon, who has used the field every day for 25 years, said the new speakers were "intimidating"

It has now re-erected the fence, and put up CCTV cameras and loudspeakers.

The speakers, which campaigners told BBC Radio Bristol have now been turned off, initially said: "This is VPS Security. Attention on site, attention on site. If you do not leave this area, security officers will be despatched."

Enda McMahon, who has used the green space for 25 years, said: "It's totally intimidating. Why on earth have they put that up there?

"It makes it look like it's some kind of prison camp or something. It's ridiculous."

Cotham School has put up signs, CCTV and speakers

The school's leaders said in a statement that following the High Court decision it has been working on the "necessary arrangements to resume use of the fields".

"We now have an agreed plan in place," it said.

"This includes reinstating the fence, ensuring the site is safe and secure for student use, and developing a clear user policy."

The school added that it is "hoping to improve on previous issues, such as avoiding muddy paths, enhancing landscaping and improving the local space outside the fence".

It also said the cost of putting the fence back up is being covered by an insurance payment, and it will "set up a stakeholder forum to engage with local residents, youth sports clubs, the council, and the police" going forward.