GOVERNORS have claimed a victory in a battle with residents over a new security fence around a Burnley primary school.

Bosses at St James Lanehead Primary wanted a 2.2 metre high fence around its perimeter to stop it being used as a short cut between the Primrose Hill estate and Briercliffe Road - and as a hide-out for troublemakers.

But people living in Wroxham Close, on the far side of the school field, claimed the fence would be an eyesore' and make the area look like an industrial estate'.

The neighbours were also worried about a possible loss of light and would present no sort of obstacle to yobs intent on using the school field for anti-social purposes.

And they were backed in their struggle by deputy council leader Margaret Lishman, and Burnley MP Kitty Ussher wrote to councillors on behalf of a complaining constituent.

Last August members of Burnley council's development control committee turned down the application, on the grounds that it have an unacceptable' impact on Wroxham Close residents, because of the fence's height and appearance.

School governors appealed against the committee's decision and the matter was recently resolved by a planning inspector.

The inspector considered that the impact on the street concerned would be minimal, as the fence would be coloured green and set back from the Wroxham Road frontage by around 10 metres.

A report to councillors said: "He (the inspector) was mindful of the school's need for security measures and considered that the fence would have a beneficial effect on resident's living conditions by deterring use of the school as a through route and its use for anti-social purposes."

The inspector also recognised that the school governors could, if they wished, erect a two-metre high fence which would not require any planning permission.

The fence stands at 1.2 metres high on the Briercliffe Road, as it is top of an existing stone wall.