New wrought iron main gates are to be installed at Burton Bradstock Primary School, with fencing around the site to be replaced.

The school, which is part of the Minerva Learning Trust, has said that the new fencing to the eastern boundary, which has a stone wall and which adjoins part of the River Bride, will improve safety for its pupils.

In a planning application to Dorset Council, the school explained: "Over time the lower course of stone and mortar have become eroded by the stream and a visible lean is evident to the eye at the north eastern corner in addition to severe cracking.

"The wall also performs a retaining element of the playground which is at a higher level within the school boundaries.

"The wall is approximately one metre high at playground side with a high netting positioned up against it to prevent play equipment and pupils from falling into the river.

"The south east boundary has a low level timber picket fencing with a gate into the wild life garden which slopes down to the river. The fence does not act as a sufficient safety barrier to the perimeter of the playground for children nor catch any balls or play equipment from falling into the river."

It also said that the main entrance gates had been identified as a security concern and would be replaced by new gates, controlled by reception staff, along with higher fencing to the rear boundary of the Church Lane site.

The new main gates will be of a similar design to those at the entrance to the neighbouring St Mary's Church.

Highways officers has initially objected to the new gates because they would swing out into the road, but after being re-designed to open inwards, the objection was dropped.

Concerns had also initially been raised by the Dorset Council conservation team about the design of the fencing, but that objection was also dropped after the initial fencing proposal was replaced with a more traditional design.