A plan to build a new footpath at a Crowland school to address safeguarding concerns has been given the green light.
South View Community Primary School – which is owned by Lincolnshire County Council – applied to build a pedestrian footpath in Postland Road, writes Local Democracy Reporter Oliver Castle.
It said a new footpath was required to allow pupils to move safely between the playground and school buildings.
Under the plans, the new path will run adjacent to the existing public footpath and will be 1.2m wide to meet accessibility requirements.
“The proposed footpath is intended to facilitate safe and efficient movement for pupils and staff between the existing school building at the eastern end of the site and the playgrounds and additional school buildings located at the western end,” an LCC report said.
“At present, pedestrian access requires pupils to cross the public footpath serving the sports hall.
“This arrangement presents a potential safeguarding concern, as it necessitates interaction with members of the public accessing the facility.”
The county council said that the footpath would help to address the predicted increase in the number of students attending the school.
The report added: “The school anticipates a bulge year commencing in September 2026, resulting in increased pupil numbers.
“To accommodate this growth, the school proposes to expand its use of the building currently shared with the children’s centre, situated on the eastern edge of the site.
“The proposed footpath would provide a dedicated internal route, thereby reducing the need for pupils to cross public pathways and limiting unnecessary interaction with external users.”
The county council has granted permission for the footpath to be built, subject to conditions.
The plans were also assessed by South Holland District Council, the Environment Agency and Sports England, which haven’t objected to the application.
