OFFICES in Rhyl are to be converted into a locked compound to deal with unruly pupils from across Denbighshire. The pupil referral unit of the council’s Behaviour Support Service, was until recently based in St Winifred’s Catholic Primary School, St Asaph. But the building was judged as being unfit for use with children, and the diocese refused to extend the lease beyond July. As a result, last week county councillors decided to allow the unit to relocate to the former children’s resource centre on Cefndy Road. The application was made by Denbighshire’s director of Lifelong Learning, Dr Mohammed Mehmet, who believes that making sure that pupils stay within the unit is of the highest importance. “The prevention of pupils absconding is an ongoing challenge and the building has been improved with the adaptation of an existing entry system with additional locks and keypads as necessary,” he said. “Externally, security has been added to the rear of the building in the form of 2.4 metres high palisade fencing around two areas, utilised as a grassed recreational area and a hard play area.” Refurbishment of the premises was agreed in February, with funds guaranteed by prudential borrowing. The site lies in an employment area and the county’s urban development plan only allows for commercial developments such as offices. The unit will be used for a period of three years to provide education for children excluded from mainstream schools, after which Denbighshire will attempt to find alternative premises. A verbal agreement was made with the diocese in 2007 to extend the lease on St Winifred’s for three years, but the offer was later retracted. The old pupil referral unit at Rhuallt was also declared surplus to requirements in 2007. The development will start by September 2013. david.rutland | 
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