A KEIGHLEY school is trying to gain permission to fence off its large grounds for a second time.

Last year Bradford Council refused a planning application by Holy Family School to install a 2.4 metre high fence around the perimeter of the three hectare school site.

Despite belonging to the school, the extensive grounds have been used as an "urban park" since the 1960s, and are often used by the public.

But the school said this arrangement was proving increasingly difficult - staff regularly find drug paraphernalia on the site, and the application said people have been "increasingly assertive" about their right to access school grounds when confronted by staff.

Redevelopment of Keighley business park approved - and it could bring 250 jobs to the town centre

However, planning officers said the application, for palisade fencing, would be "oppressive" and could harm two neighbouring Conservation Areas - Cliffe Castle and Devonshire Park. They added: "Palisade fencing is visually austere and aggressive in character. It is more expected in industrial or high security scenarios."

Now the school has submitted a new application to fence off the grounds.

This application replaces the palisade fencing with a mesh fencing the school hopes planning officers will find less "oppressive."

A decision on the application is expected next month.