Village green bid by objectors in Hove school fence row

7:50am Sunday 3rd February 2013 in News By Peter Truman

James Kilmartin, the acting headteacher at Cardinal Newman standing in the field James Kilmartin, the acting headteacher at Cardinal Newman standing in the field

Residents fighting plans to put up a giant fence around a school field are to try to get government protection for the land.

Cardinal Newman Catholic School has begun consulting over its plans for a 3m fence around its sports field, which staff say is needed to keep pupils safe.

The scheme has been suspended after residents learned of the move in The Argus and launched a petition.

Nearby residents are now exploring the option of applying for the playing fields in Old Shoreham Road to be given village green status to protect their future.

James Kilmartin, the acting headteacher at Cardinal Newman, said: “We have withdrawn it – for the time being – to review the contributions made by members of the public and their representatives during the consultation process.

“Once we have reviewed the material we will then make a considered response.

“We also intend to invite local councillors and other representatives to a meeting at the school to discuss the issues that have arisen from the consultation process.

Student safety

“However, we still remain very concerned about the risks to the health and safety of our students and we may well decide to resubmit the application for planning permission to build a fence in the near future.

“If we can respond to local concerns, while protecting the health and safety of our students, we will.”

Local resident Louise McCurdy was one of those who organised a meeting on Tuesday.

She said there was a great community spirit and the group was still exploring options to ensure the fence plans do not get back onto the table.

Mrs McCurdy said she welcomed the opportunity to meet with the school and discuss the proposals.

See the latest news headlines from The Argus:

More news from The Argus

Follow @brightonargus

Daily Echo on Facebook - facebook.com/southerndailyecho Like us on Facebook

Google+ Add us to your circles on Google+

Comments(15)

Jetsamandflotsam says...
8:04am Sun 3 Feb 13

Why on earth do they need a fence?
Surely the good lord will protect them?

Report this post »

Plantpot says...
8:41am Sun 3 Feb 13

I'm sure you're well aware it rains the righteous and the unrighteous alike. Anyway, I would imagine dog faeces on pitches is one serious issue.

Report this post »

Plantpot says...
8:45am Sun 3 Feb 13

"Rains on" I should have said.

For me the issue is one of who owns the land, which will determine what can be done and how. Also what type of fence? 3m chain link so that it's largely transparent doesn't sound like a big deal to me.

It would be helpful if the safety and security issues were detailed.

Report this post »

Charismatic Andrew says...
9:29am Sun 3 Feb 13

James Kilmartin is certainly very keen on Health and Safety..... as his bizarre decision to close the school on the day of the French "gas leak" proves!

Report this post »

Maxwell's Ghost says...
10:40am Sun 3 Feb 13

Can this man describe the exact nature if the health and safety issues please Argus?
H&S includes a vast array of issues so let's hear what issues really are for the basis for a fence.
Runaway cars? Peeping Toms? Parents pushing fish and chips through the current fence?

Report this post »

the bolt says...
11:28am Sun 3 Feb 13

perhaps mr kilmartin, would like to take a walk to the tesco at the top of his road and see his students blocking the entrance to the petrol station placeing themselves and others in danger of getting hit by cars entering the for petrol. and allso take a walk round dyke road park and spot the litter his students leave behind them.

Report this post »

ARealBessie says...
11:54am Sun 3 Feb 13

Keep up the pressure peeps and don't stop until you've got Village Green status. Otherwise, before you know it you won't just be fighting off the prospect of a 3 m high fence, but sheep grazing and open concrete skate bowls too!

Report this post »

Jetsamandflotsam says...
1:30pm Sun 3 Feb 13

Yes more information is required about the heads concerns. If he can close the school due to a smell, I feel his motives might need examining with due concern.
Its hard to imagine what in his imaginarys friends name a 3 meter high fence will do to improve the elf and safety of his students.

Report this post »

Valerie Paynter says...
2:32pm Sun 3 Feb 13

I'm surprised the dog walkers don't lobby their MP for the right to take their dogs on on any piece of green they see, frankly. Ruthless. The road and pavements are not good enough for the purpose (the evidence remains highly visible).

This is private land and parents have a right to expect that their children can do sports at school in a faeces-free environment!

I would only oppose building on the land.

Report this post »

getThisCoalitionOut says...
6:00pm Sun 3 Feb 13

Why are residents stopping the protection of school children?! I am amazed there are some people who think they can stop a fence and are fighting to do so - what is wrong with these people?

So if some maniac goes into this field, because there is no fence - and kills a child - they'll be happy with that will they?

Protection of children is what is important - so shut up you horrible, selfish people.

If you want to walk somewhere - there's Dyke Road park right next to these fields which is where you should be going anyway.

Report this post »

clubrob6 says...
7:39pm Sun 3 Feb 13

I thought money was tight,surely the money it would cost to put a 3 mtr high fence up could be put to better uses.

Report this post »

wippasnapper says...
5:18pm Mon 4 Feb 13

Jetsamandflotsam wrote:
Why on earth do they need a fence?
Surely the good lord will protect them?
Why on earth do they need a fence?

We’ll I would have thought as stated to protect its pupils to witch means stopping outsiders getting in!

Surely the good lord will protect them?
O’ yes the good lord with a bag of sweeties will protect them until they have them alone to prates there sadist sexual sick perverted ill thoughts upon them.

But of course the residents who live close by “Bearing in mind one of them could be a sex predator” would of course have objections “to not being able to get close to the victims” or it just may well be the residents own children use the field outside of school hours.

Report this post »

ghost bus driver says...
9:30pm Mon 4 Feb 13

When I was there I was told that this land belonged to BHASVIC but Cardinal Newman had the use of it.

Report this post »

suzieshyshoes says...
10:52am Tue 5 Feb 13

But is child protection the primary motivation?
The fence is quite possibly a first step in applying for planning for further development of the field.
Once public access is blocked, it is far easier to get planning approval for a commercial venture.
This field has, for years, been used as recreational ground for the local community. Why can't the schools work with the local community to preserve its use for all.

Report this post »

musesboy says...
11:46am Tue 5 Feb 13

It belongs to BHASVIC as I understand it and was given by some Lord or other with the express condition that the people of Brighton be allowed access in perpetuity.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree