‘No reason to reverse process’ - school governors rebuff residents’ letter agaist fencing of Werrington Fields

The governors and head of a Peterborough school have responded to criticisms by neighbours levelled in an open letter this week over the imminent fencing off of public land for sports pitches.
The sports field set to be fenced off at Werrington. EMN-200828-172958001The sports field set to be fenced off at Werrington. EMN-200828-172958001
The sports field set to be fenced off at Werrington. EMN-200828-172958001

The heartfelt open letter signed by 151 neighbours of the Ken Stimpson Community School was sent in a last ditch hope of pricking the conscience of governors as they make ready to fence off three sports pitches shared with the public, at a cost of thousands of pounds.

The school had plans approved in March by Peterborough City Council to fence off the neighbouring green space, known as Werrington Fields because of safeguarding concerns for pupils who use the currently open field for sports lessons during the day.

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But the Governors and principal say in their letter of reply to the Save Werrington Fields group that they have acted fully within the law and the decision of the city council planners is final.

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The response has been co-signed by principal Ken Erwin and chairman of governors Trevor French.

The response says the Governing body “fully supports” the principal’s actions to ensure the students at the school are fully safeguarded. “Whilst it is a regret that you feel an open space is being enclosed, the land will continue to remain in the ownership of the local authority and open outside of school hours,” they insist.

“The school and local authority have jointly acknowledged the need to reduce this safeguarding risk and acted fully in accordance with the procedures legally required by the planning officers within Peterborough City Council.”

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They say preparation has included: assessing the safeguarding risk with the Education Safeguarding Lead for Peterborough/Safeguarding Children Adviser, letters of notice to residents sent out in October, 2019, public consultation held in November, 2019, a planning application with obligatory documentation submitted in January 2020, approval by the Planning Committee gained on March 2020.

A community use agreement has also been developed between the local authority and Sport England

The governors add: “We further understand that the local authority met with you, the Neighbourhood Council and local councillors and have made significant concession to enable a fair and appropriate balance between the need to safeguard students in the school and the needs of the wider local community.”

The public land, off Staniland Way is used by the school for sports activities but has been open for community use for decades. However, in its application the school stated the site was: “uncontrollable, which poses risks to students during physical education activities.”

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The scheme includes erecting 2.4 metre weldmesh fences surrounding three pitches, blocking in 46,000 square metres of green space, but residents would still be able to book time on the fields out of school hours. Work is due to start on erecting the fence.

The school has taken the decision to not use the open space, which is outside of the school perimeter fence, for physical education until the fence is erected to ensure the safety of students and staff.

The governors say: “It is our understanding that the planning committee decision is final and legally binding,” adding, “The governing body is surprised that local residents are claiming that they are only recently aware of this planning decision. All recent public notices posted around the field and surrounding area are not associated with the school. Any issues relating to the planning and cost of erecting a fence is not a school concern but is a local authority matter.

“Given the extended and protracted efforts that the principal has made to act lawfully and within the framework required, the governing body would have no reason to reverse this process.

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“The governing body will continue to support the principal in ensuring the safeguarding of students at Ken Stimpson Community School is fulfilled and not left to chance.”

In their open letter to governors, the 151 neighbours - many parents themselves - say public access will be restricted when they need it more than ever and claimed that, to add insult to injury, the public will be charged for the use of it.

They appealed: “We ask you to pause and think again.

“As you get ready to forever change how this area looks and feels with your 2.4 metre high obstruction made from the material used for prison fences, we ask you to pause and think again.

“As you arrange to deface one of the most beautiful tree-lined avenues in the city, a view that would have been protected in the neighbourhood plan, a vista that brings peace and joy, we ask you to pause and think again.”

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They asked governors to spend the “tens of thousands in public money” on where it is really needed, rather than the fence.

As they accused the governors of not proving a need for the fencing and not looking for other solutions, the letter concludes: “We question, for the first time, whether we can call you a neighbour at all.”