A school wants to put up a 10ft (3-metre) high mesh fence to restrict access to its playing fields.
Varndean School, in Balfour Road, Brighton, has submitted plans to Brighton and Hove City Council for the fence.
It would be a third of a mile long, or 500 metres, with three single gates and two double gates for access.
But some neighbours have raised concerns about the proposal in local Facebook groups and have already lodged objections because they use the field outside of school hours.
One anonymous objector, whose details were redacted by the council, said: “It will stop children playing freely, as they have done here for many years with no problems and with respect for school use during school times.
“We live here all the time and all year round. My kids grew up sledding down the hill in winter and chasing balls in summer. This is a sad and unnecessary application.”
Varndean said that access to the wider campus and open fields would not be affected by the fence which would apply to “defined areas” of the school site.
They said that the school had been in touch with neighbours throughout the process, directly through correspondence and face-to-face meetings.
The school said: “The safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff is our foremost responsibility.
“This is a measured step to support that and we remain fully committed to transparency and to our positive relationship with our neighbours throughout the planning process.”
To view the application or comment, search for BH2026/00745 on the council’s website.
Totally inappropriate, spend the money on more pressing things like education and pastoral demands.