A COUNCILLOR today fuelled the row over the closure of a right of way at a York school.

Labour planning spokesman Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing said security problems at St Peter's would not end if the school was given permission to shut a path running through its grounds.

She visited the Clifton school this week and claimed she found other security concerns.

She said if councillors agreed to close the path at a planning advisory panel meeting on Wednesday it may only pave the way for another route to be shut.

School chiefs called for the footpath to be closed after burglaries and vandalism triggered security concerns.

Officials, worried the footpath is being used for drug taking, are trying to take advantage of new laws which give schools the right to close a public right of way if pupils and staff are at risk.

Figures handed to councillors say there have been 55 criminal activity incidents - including thefts, robbery, threats of violence and criminal damage - since January 1, 2001.

But Coun Simpson-Laing said: "Once they close one path they are still going to have issues of people coming in the grounds.

"There is a hedge with holes all over it and fencing in poor condition, then they are going to want to shut the other, well-used, path (linking Westminster Road and North Parade) as well. Where do we stop?

"I do not believe this is the solution to their problems, especially as I have been down there and looked myself."

Coun Simpson-Laing said that during her half-term visit she saw no security staff. "I'm there taking pictures and nobody approached me," she added.

A St Peter's School spokesman said a dossier of information had been sent to the council supporting the application to close the path. Officers recommend the plans be accepted. He said the school had no plans to close any other paths and added that fence damage would be put right as part of ongoing maintenance.

The spokesman said: "We have been told by the police and an independent security consultant that closing the footpath is essential for improving security on the campus."

Councillors have already deferred a closure decision until they had more details.

Executive member Ann Reid said it was a big step for a council to recommend closure of a public right of way.

The committee wanted to be absolutely sure that it was the right decision, she said.

The proposed closure has attracted 24 letters of objection and a 74-name residents' petition calling for the path to remain open.

Updated: 10:28 Monday, November 01, 2004