A GROUP of residents in Bournemouth say they have been left “angered, upset and betrayed” after being deprived of access to a wooded area backing onto their homes.

Plans to build a fence at the back of Bournemouth School’s current buildings, an area known locally as 'the copse', were approved by BCP Council despite 117 objections.

The approval will mean residents in Uplands Road, the majority of which have gates leading into the wooded area, will no longer have access despite the fact their houses were built more than ten years before the school.

Janet MacLoughlin, who lives in Upland Road, said: “My family have lived here since the 1940s and, until this application, we and the school have lived in harmony. In fact, three generations of my family have attended Bournemouth School.

“We have all always used the right of way to and from the playing fields through this ‘ancient woodland’ and copse, therefore, for decades, even collecting litter on numerous occasions, out of school hours as permitted by the notices still located in three places.

“The fencing off of the proposed area would have a devastating effect at a time when we are already losing so much wildlife.”

The objectors say the fence would interfere with the wildlife, including badgers and foxes, and argue that there is no demonstrable need for the fence in ensuring students’ safety.

An area of ancient woodland, measuring 40,900 squared-metres, was gifted to Bournemouth School in 2009. However, residents said that when they tried to track down to the relevant papers, they were told that they had been “lost or destroyed”.

Mary Hurst, Uplands Road resident, said: “One very pertinent question was never answered, ie what has happened to the plans, notices and evidence that the public was ever informed that the council had transferred the land to the school in 2009.

“One resident who has tried to research these notices and plans to ascertain what conditions had been set at the time, was told by both Bournemouth and Dorchester planning records that the plans were missing, lost or destroyed.

“If the council transferred the woods to the school in 2009, why were we not informed then that it was private? The public has gone on using the land for a further 12 years of enjoyment without any interruptions.

“All in all, the pleas from 117 members of the ward and community have been brushed aside with no satisfaction for their questions being answered and gave all been left angered, upset and betrayed.”

Bournemouth School said that, subject to the completion of an environmental survey, work on the fence will start as soon as possible.

Headmaster Dr Dorian Lewis said: “The fencing was the subject of a planning application which was heard by the local authority’s planning committee on August 19.

“The arguments put forward by residents were aired and considered by the committee. The application was approved subject to the completion of an environmental survey.

“We are awaiting details of this planning condition, and once met, the work will begin on site as soon as possible to fence an area of the school’s freehold and secure the site for our students.”

A spokesperson for BCP Council added: “The land where fencing is being erected is understood to be owned by the school and was the subject of an application that was granted planning permission by planning committee in August 2021. The council is not aware of any infringement having occurred but is now in contact with the school regarding this matter.”