PLANS to restrict public access to a popular playing field by a Southampton school have been approved by councillors.

Despite objection from several residents and the Friends of Riverside Park, Southampton City Council’s planning committee gave the go ahead for plans to erect taller fencing around two playing fields in Riverside Park.

Bitterne Park Primary School submitted plans to build an 8ft fence around the field, re-route a public footpath there and limit public access to it, both during and after school hours.

The proposal will mean that the field is used solely by the school unless it is booked by community groups during school hours.

It will then be open to the public between 3.30pm and 6pm, but after and before those times it will be locked.

Six people spoke to object to the plans, including members of Friends of Riverside Park, who raised concerns over several issues including the loss of unrestricted access to the fields for the general public.

But Howard Whitehead, chair of governors from the school, told councillors the renovations were needed to make the fields a more secure place for pupils who are currently “crammed” into a concrete playground.

The panel unanimously voted to approve the plans.

Councillor Matt Tucker said: “Times have moved on and we have an obligation as a council to make sure children are safe when they are at school and when they are using open spaces.”