Varndean School, in Balfour Road, Brighton, said the mesh fence – some 550 yards or 500 metres long and 10ft or 3m high – would create a “clearly defined and secure boundary”. When the committee met at Hove Town Hall on Wednesday, August 5, seven councillors voted in favour of the fence. Green councillor Sue Shanks voted against and Conservative councillor Ivan Lyons abstained. Green councillor Kerry Pickett said: “I went to school many moons ago and we didn’t have any fencing at all but now things have changed and it’s a safeguarding issue. Brighton and Hove Independent councillor Mark Earthey said: “This is a statutory requirement for safeguarding.