THIRTY people have objected to a secondary school’s plans to build a fence around its grounds.

The Bradford College Education Trust submitted an application to erect the 2.4 metre high fence around Samuel Lister Academy in Cottingley, at the side of the playing fields looking down towards the A650.

The school says it has become an “urgent safeguarding issue” as people currently use the school grounds to walk dogs during school hours.

Their application says: “Some people don’t have dogs on leads, some do not pick up after their dogs. Our staff have spoken to various members of the public to challenge them about coming onto the land, some are understanding, others are quite abusive.”

It goes on to say that signs asking people not to enter school grounds have been "vandalised or removed altogether."

Thirty people objected to the plans, which go before the Keighley Area Planning Panel on Wednesday. Objections include that the school does not use the land, does not own the land, and that the fields have been used by the local community for decades.

Officers have recommended the plans be approved, saying: “It is clear that the safety of the pupils during school hours needs to be given significant weight.”

They add that there is evidence the school does own the land.

The panel meets at Keighley Town Hall at 10am on Wednesday.