A SCHOOL in Bridgwater has applied to install new fencing and gates around ten-feet-tall around its perimeter.

Robert Blake School, which is overseen by Somerset Council, hopes to heighten its perimeter fences from two metres to three metres to increase security on the site.

In the planning statement, a spokesperson for Somerset Council wrote that there has been a rise in number of people gaining access to the school without authorisation.

"The school have experienced a significant rise in unauthorised access into the site during the school day and various options were being investigated to manage this serious issue," they wrote.

An inspection of the site found various areas of weakness in the existing security, and an associated report provided recommendations for improvement.

"If planning permission is granted the school would be a safer and more secure environment reducing unauthorised access and incidents relating to these," the applicant added.

After careful consideration of three possible options, a 'weldmesh 358' fence - also referred to as prison mesh due to its use at high-security prisons - was deemed the most suitable replacement to the existing fence.

The proposed design - although 'harsh' in appearance and causing reduced visibility - has a high resistance to being cut, and is difficult to climb.

Parts of the school's existing fence will remain, but areas identified as weak points in the security survey will be removed and replaced with the prison mesh fencing in a 'moss green' colour.

In September 2023, Robert Blake School was forced to implement its 'lockdown' procedure after someone 'entered the school site who should not have done'.

An email sent to parents stated that, despite locking the doors, the suspect managed to enter the school, but left the site after the police were called.

A 13 year old child was charged with five counts of assault following the incident, in which police confirmed adults were assaulted.

Read more: Teen due in court charged with assault after ‘lockdown’ incident at Bridgwater school

A joint statement issued after the incident by both Robert Blake School and Somerset Council read: "Safety at our school is paramount and we would like to reassure parents that our staff reacted quickly to ensure this issue was dealt with promptly and with no harm to any students.

"Our focus remains on providing any support needed for our children, staff and the wider school community."

For more information on the plans for a new fence at Robert Blake School, search reference number 08/24/00058 on Somerset Council's online planning portal.

Comments are welcomed on the application until Thursday, May 30, and approval could be given from the following day.

Sedgemoor planning roundup

The following planning applications were received by Somerset Council between May 3 and May 10.

For more details, and to comment on applications, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/planning-buildings-and-land.

Application Number: 05/24/00002 Parish/Town Council: Berrow Type: Full Planning Permission Location: 22 Church House Road, Berrow, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2NG Proposal: Erection of a single-story rear (SW) extension on site of existing conservatory (to be demolished).

Application Number: 07/24/00005 Parish/Town Council: Brent Knoll Type: Full Planning Permission Location: Uplands, Hill Lane, Brent Knoll, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 4DF Proposal: Variation of Conditions 2 & 4 of Planning Permission Application No. 07/23/00012 (Erection of 1no. dwelling with creation of access and parking.) to amend the approved plans listed in schedule A and to amend parking and turning arrangements.

Application Number: 08/24/00075 Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater Type: Listed Building Consent - alterations Location: Wilton House, 6A Chandos Street, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3DL Proposal: Disconnect the existing supply to 6a in the cellar and make new connection onto main in rear, alter existing service with 2' steel LP and 32mm PE new service terminating to bolt on meter box.

Application Number: 11/23/00115 Parish/Town Council: Burnham & Highbridge Type: Full Planning Permission Location: 2 Brightstowe Road, Burnham On Sea, Somerset, TA8 2HW Proposal: Erection of a 2-storey extension.

Application Number: 11/24/00015 Parish/Town Council: Burnham & Highbridge Type: Full Planning Permission Location: 1 South Avenue, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3EX Proposal: Erection of a part single, part two-storey extension to create two self-contained apartments and alterations to the fenestrations of the main residence.

Application Number: 24/24/00002 Parish/Town Council: East Brent Type: Full Planning Permission Location: Delhorn Boarding Kennels, Weston Road, Edingworth, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, BS24 0JQ Proposal: Demolition of existing dwelling, erection of a replacement dwelling and change of use and conversion of kennel buildings to 3no. dwellings, including formation of vehicular access.

Application Number: 42/24/00005 Parish/Town Council: Puriton Type: Hazardous Substances Consent Location: Agratas Site, Land at Gravity Smart Campus, Woolavington Road, Puriton, Bridgwater, Somerset Proposal: Application for the storage, involvement in a manufacturing, treatment, or other industrial process of hazardous substances, including: Electrolyte (Carbonate Lithium Hexafluorophosphate Mixture) - maximum of 2500 tonnes; Diethyl Carbonate - maximum of 50 tonnes; Nickel Manganese Cobalt Cathode Active Material - maximum of 7800 tonnes; and Petroleum products and alternative fuels (unspecified combination of some or all of (a) gasolines and naphthas, (b) kerosenes (including jet fuels), (c) gas oils (including diesel fuels, home heating oils and gas oil blending streams) (d) heavy fuel oils (e) alternative fuels serving the same purposes and with similar properties as regards flammability and environmental hazards as the products referred to in points (a) to (d)) - maximum of 500 tonnes.

Application Number: 45/24/00006 Parish/Town Council: Spaxton Type: Outline Planning Permission Location: Swang Farm and Land Off, Currypool Lane, Cannington, Bridgwater Proposal: Outline application with some matters reserved for the demolition of existing dwelling and the erection of a new dwelling with garaging.

Application Number: 50/24/00014 Parish/Town Council: Wedmore Type: Full Planning Permission Location: Land to the North of, The Old Parlour, West of, Church Lane, Blackford, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 Proposal: Siting of a static caravan to be used for storage in connection with existing farm.

Application Number: 51/24/00007 Parish/Town Council: Wembdon Type: Full Planning Permission Location: 34 Greenacre, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 7RD Proposal: Erection of a two-storey side (East) extension and a single-storey rear (South) extension and the relocation of the garage.

Application Number: 08/24/00048 Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater Type: Listed Building Consent - Demolition Location: 3 Blake Street, Bridgwater, Somerset Proposal: Erection of a building containing 1no. one-bed flat, 1no. two-bed flat and 2no. commercial/retail units, on site of existing (to be demolished).

Application Number: 08/24/00058 Parish/Town Council: Bridgwater Type: Full Planning Permission Location: Robert Blake Science College And Elmwood School, Hamp Avenue, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 6AW Proposal: Installation of new 3m high weldmesh fencing and gates.

Application Number: 11/24/00038 Parish/Town Council: Burnham & Highbridge Type: Prior Approval Use Class E to Mixed Use Location: 36 Market Street, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3BW Proposal: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: Change of use from Commercial, Business and Service (Use Class E) to mixed use including 1No. Flat (Use Class C3).

Application Number: 17/24/00014 Parish/Town Council: Cheddar Type: Demolition Determination Location: 5 Barrows Road, Cheddar, Somerset, BS27 3AY Proposal: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed demolition of a garage and workshop.

Application Number: 49/24/00009 Parish/Town Council: Weare Type: Full Planning Permission Location: Twin Barns, Brinscombe Lane, Weare, Axbridge, BS26 2LH Proposal: Erection of a free-standing carport with open sides.

Application Number: 50/24/00034 Parish/Town Council: Wedmore Type: Householder Prior Approval Location: Old Rhine Farm, Blakeway, Wedmore, Somerset, BS28 4UB Proposal: Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed erection of a single-storey extension, extending 6.46m from the rear West elevation.