Fence approved for school in nightlife district

The Charles Darwin school opened nine years ago

A primary school will build a two-metre (6ft 6in) security fence because of concerns about "significant anti-social behaviour" from people using the area.

The Charles Darwin School in Norwich is just off Prince of Wales Road – one of the city's main areas for nightlife.

In a letter to Norwich City Council, surveyor Jamie Curtis said fencing would "restrict access" to areas outside the front of the school when it was closed.

Council officers approved the plan, after the fence's height was scaled back from the original design of 2.4m.

They said a higher fence would not have been sympathetic to the local conservation area.

With its bars and clubs, Prince of Wales Road can be one of the busiest parts of Norwich at night

Based in a former office building on Rose Lane, Charles Darwin opened as a primary and nursery school in 2016, and is run by the Inspiration Trust chain.

But it is just around the corner from Prince of Wales Road – well known for its bars and nightclubs.

A letter from Norfolk Police supported the plan to improve security.

"Designing Out Crime Officer" Penny Curtis said Rose Lane was one of the areas in Norwich with the highest levels of anti-social behaviour.

Writing on behalf of the school, Mr Curtis told the council it "experiences significant anti-social behaviour to areas of the property".

Fencing would "restrict access to external areas of the school out-of-hours and aid the school's safeguarding policy," he added.