A SOMERSET village primary school wants to install fencing around the playground to prevent ‘unauthorised access’ from a neighbouring property.

Currently, boundaries between Stogursey Primary School and the neighbouring private property are marked by a timber fence and a hedgerow.

However, the application – submitted to Somerset Council by Eleven10 Architecture on behalf of the Tower Hill school – said the move was necessary to prevent “unimpeded” access to the grounds.

“Although the property is within the grounds of the Grade II listed* Stogursey Primary School, it is not owned by the school and the occupants of the residential property have unimpeded access onto the school premises which poses a concern during school hours,” the application said.

A hedgerow forms part of the boundary between the school and the private property. Picture: Eleven10/Somerset Council

“The application is being undertaken as a matter of urgency, to ensure removal to the school premises, of a significant risk to child protection and safeguarding during school opening hours.

“The application has the full support of the Education Safeguarding Department at Somerset Council as they have become involved because of reported instances of serious safeguarding concerns due to trespass into the school grounds via the neighbouring property.”

It said black fencing and a gate would be installed parallel to the current “low timber fence” and “tall hedge” to denote boundaries.

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“Access to the residential property (Schoolmaster’s House) from the main front door entrance will remain as is,” the plans added.

“However, access to the rear of the residential property will be restricted onto the grounds of Stogursey Primary School, which the applicant of this application is seeking to restrict on the grounds of safety for the children and to address the child protection and safeguarding concerns caused by the potential unauthorised access of the school grounds, particularly during school hours.”

For more details on the plans, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search application reference 3/32/24/012.