School fencing misery

10:59am Monday 17th December 2007

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AN eight foot fence, installed to protect a school from vandal attacks, has left nearby residents with a headache.

Bosses at Little Lever secondary school in Church Street, had the metal barriers put up to stop yobs getting on to school land outside of hours.

But now groups of youngsters are using the garden fences of homeowners, which run parallel, as a stepping stone to vault the metal barriers.

Residents claim their lives have been blighted by anti-social behaviour since the fence went up and are calling for action.

Keith Holden, of Bowness Road, said: "The school states that it wants this fence for security reasons and to reduce vandalism but are relying on my garden fence to complete it.

"In doing so they are putting my security in jeopardy. I have already encountered youths climbing on my fence to get beyond the new fence." Another resident added: "It is intimidating having youths so close to our property, abusing us, compromising our security and privacy."

The metal fence, which is 27 foot long and eight foot high, has been put up without planning permission.

The school has now applied for retrospective permission for the work.

Cllr Sean Hornby, chair of Bolton Council planning committee, said at a meeting: "Residents have seen their garden fences broken by youths.

"This is unacceptable and has only started since the fencing was installed by the school. These residents have the right to live in peace and therefore I cannot support the application as it stands."

Councillors deferred the application to see if a solution could be found and it will go back to the committee on January 10.