Plans for new fence to stop vandalism at Newport school approved

PLANS to build a new fence around a Newport school in a bid to deter vandalism have been approved by councillors.

The replacement fence at Tredegar Park Primary School on Partridge Way will be 2.4-meters high with mesh panels, replacing the current steel bar fencing which is 1.8-meters high.

A council report said the fence is planned to improve security following vandalism at the school.

Although taller, council planners said the fence would have “an acceptable design and visual appearance”.

Councillor John Guy was among those to support the plans at a planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

“It’s an indictment of our society that we have got to have security fences but that’s the way it is,” he said.

“It’s being introduced in most of our schools and security is what we want.”

Eleven trees will need to be removed to allow for the fence to be installed, with new trees to be planted within the school grounds and a hedge along a woodland boundary.

Cllr Jason Jordan asked how close to the fence the new trees would be planted, and whether people would be able to get over the fence and into the school.

The meeting heard that a tree planting scheme would be submitted and considered by the council’s planning department before works start.