Second Romford school entrance approved despite opposition

A SECOND entrance to a new Romford school was given the green light by councillors despite opposition from residents.

At the council’s regulatory services committee on Thursday (February 4), a path to the new Hyland Primary School, which is due to open in the spring, was given approval by members.

The new entrance will begin between two houses in Globe Road and at will be only 1.5 metres wide at that point.

Resident Morris Furie spoke against the proposal outlining fears for what will happen in the area, including that a new alley and school entrance could cause an increase in anti-social behaviour.

“We’ve ended up in a situation where you are just looking for ways to get into a school that has already been built,” he said.

“As property owners we feel we’ll lose 25 to 30 per cent of our house values if this is approved.”

Labour Cllr Denis O’Flynn also raised concerns about “youngsters who might find it amusing to commit anti-social behaviour outside of school hours,” in the alley.

Committee members were told by officers that the proposal for the entrance would see it gated off from public access during non-school times, so that access to it would be prevented so it wouldn’t be a problem.

The plan will also see low level safety lighting installed, improvements to the existing footpath and a new fence installed.

Fire safety inspectors and crime prevention advisors were happy that there was no safety risks connected to the new pathway.

The other entrance to the school will be via Benjamin Close, which also criticised last year. At the time, residents accused the council of knocking down a fence and dropping a curb without obtaining planning permission. The council said they didn’t need planning permission to do so.

Councillors approved the new, Globe Road entrance with nine voting in favour, one against and one abstention.