EDUCATION bosses will plead with planners to be allowed to build three security fences at a crime-hit Pendle school.

Intruders are a regular sight at Walter Street Primary School in Brierfield and the county’s education department has drawn up blueprints for 2.4metre barriers to be erected.

But borough council officials and neighbours are concerned about the ‘ugly appearance’ of the proposed mesh security fencing and have formally objected to the bid.

A Pendle council spokesman said: “We object on the grounds that the proposed fencing to the north, east and south perimeter is industrial in appearance and not in harmony with the traditional appearance of the school building and surrounding site.

“The proposed fencing is also inappropriate for a residential area and would have a detrimental impact on visual amenity.”

Residents are divided on the scheme, although all acknowlede the need for improved security for the school.

Three letters of objection and two supporting the plans have been received, with opponents suggesting that a night watchman, increased police patrols or CCTV cameras are a preferable option for Walter Street.

Stuart Wrigley, Lancashire's director of transport and planning, said: "The current boundary treatment at the school is easily traversed and provides little security for the school.

“As a consequence the school and grounds regularly sufffer from trespass, vandalism, nuisance and criminal activity.

“The proposed fencing is required to prevent unauthorised access and to provide greater security to the school and grounds.”

The northern boundarys is already covered by a stone wall and similar fencing. But objections have come from people living along the eastern Bird Street boundary, where there is currently a metre-high hedgerow.

Education chiefs say that a CCTV system would be too expensive to install and maintain - and such an alternative would still need to be supported by upgraded fencing.

The applicants have also submitted a letter of support from Lancashire Police's Pennine divisional architectural liaison officer, who requests that the perimeter should be 2.4metre high.

Mr Wrigley adds, in a report to county councillors: “The security fencing would be behind a wall or a hedge for much of its length, with only a small section, approximately 20 metres long, along the southern boundary, exposed in its entirety.”

The exposed length of fencing would also be painted black, before it is installed, to minimise its impact still further, councillors have been told.

The proposals, which have been recommended for approval, are due to be debated by the county council's development control committee in Preston on Wednesday.