FENCING planned for a Haddington school has been described as “horrendous, ugly, brutal and inhumane”.

East Lothian Council had been keen to erect metal fencing around parts of Knox Academy Meadowpark.

A planning application, now withdrawn, was submitted to the local authority’s planning department at the end of September, with a revised application since submitted.

David Barrett, a member of the town’s community council, updated colleagues about the original proposals at a meeting in the town’s Bridge Centre.

Speaking at the community council’s November meeting, he said: “Top of the agenda is the item initially brought up last month, the horrendous, ugly, brutal, inhumane fencing all the way round the Meadowpark school.”

Mr Barrett, who recently joined the community council, felt that the fencing was not in keeping with the area and would be more suitable at “Macmerry Industrial Estate to keep criminals out”.

The proposals had previously been discussed by the community council at a virtual meeting in October.

Fellow community councillor Therese Laing had highlighted the plans for the school, which opened its doors in 2016.

The school, on Haddington’s Victoria Road, is home to pupils who have a range of additional support needs (ASN).

The school campus is based within the former Haddington Infant School and includes classrooms, a soft play, sensory room and outdoor space.

Mrs Laing was concerned about the look of the fencing but also that a section of stone wall would be removed to allow the fencing to be put in place.

Members were not in favour of the design and Chris McEwan, chairman, had already looked at the proposals.

He said: “I’m not a big fan of the fencing they are proposing.”

Mr McEwan added that the fencing was similar in style to that found at a 3G pitch, rather than a school.

The original proposals have been withdrawn but revised plans are already with the planning department.

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council highlighted the reasoning behind the proposed fencing and said: “The application was withdrawn following a discussion with planning regarding the boundary line.

“A revised application has since been submitted and will be shortly registered and available to view from our website planning portal.

“The fence is needed to prevent further unauthorised access and vandalism to the school site and at the same time provide a safe and secure environment for pupils.”