School security fence approved despite objections

Bexhill Academy has been given permission to build a higher fence

A school has been given permission to build a security fence to tackle trespassing, despite objections over its scale.

Bexhill Academy in Sunderland has been given permission by Sunderland City Council to install a 6.5ft (2m) fence to address antisocial behaviour issues and trespassing.

Residents told the council the plan was "overkill" and said the fence would "restrict views, reduce sunlight and directly impact" nearby homes.

The council said the proposal would be a "positive improvement to the existing school grounds".

In a decision report, the council acknowledged that several objections had been submitted, however it said the proposed fence was "in keeping with the design and scale of the existing fencing".

The authority added reducing antisocial behaviour at the school site, would also be of benefit to nearby residents, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.