A school has been given planning permission to fence off its playing field despite community concerns about a loss of open green space. Objectors’ cited included loss of green space and loss of access to the school’s 3G pitch, the design and height of the fence, public health concerns and land ownership. When the committee met at Hove Town Hall yesterday (Wednesday 5 August), seven councillors voted in favour of the fence. Green councillor Sue Shanks voted against and Conservative councillor Ivan Lyons abstained. Councillor Lyons said that neither the school nor any of the objectors attended the meeting to answer questions about why the fence might be needed or not.