The application, by Wellfield Middle School, is to erect a 1.8m high steel fence around the entire school site, which includes both Wellfield Middle and First Schools, and is bordered by Otterburn Avenue and Hareshaw Road, and the edge of the former isolation hospital. It includes the recreation ground, to the north of the school premises.

In its application, the school says it has identified problems with trespassers, vandalism, and dogs fouling playing areas within the school grounds.

However, residents in the area who use the field for dog walking and
sports, criticised the application.

Dog walker Marnie Merriles, of Harewood Crescent, said: "They don't use it and the kids have got nowhere else to play round here."

Ms Merriles regards the field as a community facility, and said it should not be fenced off.

No neighbourhood consultation will be carried out on the application.

Another dog walker, who did not want to be named, said: "The kids use it for football and it's a shame because there are no other grassy areas around here.

Louise Nicholson, who lives opposite the school gates, said that if the school was going to claim so much playing field, then some of it should be used for parking provision.

"The school has a parking problem - they should be using some of this for a proper car park with a turning circle."

Ms Nicholson described the parking problems as "horrendous" and said an extra 30 to 40 cars park on her street during the school run.

A spokesman for North Tyneside Council said this week they could not comment on applications which were due to go to the planning committee for a decision.

The council said that to prevent prejudicing the committee, it could not comment on residents' concerns.