SECURITY fencing is to be installed around the sports pitches of the Queen Elizabeth School at Wimborne.

The Wimborne Academy Trust say the Blandford Road site needs the 2.4-metre tall welded green mesh panel around its pitches to the east of the main school “to enhance safeguarding.”

It will replace existing chain-link fencing which the school says “does not offer any reasonable protection for the pupils using the pitches or keeping the fields secure from members of the public.”

It says the fencing is in line with Government recommendations.

Dorset Wildlife Trust did not object to the proposal but has asked the school to consider ‘appropriate measures’ to mitigate any effects on the adjoining Site of Nature Conservation Interest at Pamphill Green and several ponds on the Kingston Lacy estate.

It suggests that any trenches dug and left overnight be fitted with a ramp or covered to allow animals to escape, should they fall in and that checks be made for animals on excavations before filling.

Neither Wimborne town council nor ward councillors responded to the application and there were no public comments.