Fresh bid to fence off ‘public space’ in village

AN application to put up a fence around another plot of public open space on a Broughton Astley housing estate has been submitted to Harborough District Council.

A group of residents has applied for planning permission to change the use of the site in Netherfield Close and to erect a fence.

Neighbours said they believe the group is applying for the permission before they decide whether or not to buy the land, which is listed for auction on June 22, with a guide price of £500.

The application, which asks for permission to split the land between three adjacent properties, states: “The grassed area has become rather neglected in recent years, with overgrown bushes and eye-level branches, twigs, brambles, nettles, barbed wire and rubbish.

“I have observed children playing within the overgrown wooded area on two separate occasions. This, on the face of it, would appear to be an unsafe practice.”

The group – the owners of three houses adjoining the land – said they would maintain wild- life habitats, keep trees where possible and leave a metre-wide strip of grass to allow people to walk their dogs.

Neighbours are opposing the application, which they said is another attack on the public open spaces of the Devitt Way estate.

Cordonnier Close resident, Ian Phillips, said: “We fully support the residents of Netherfield and their objection to the application.

“The landowners are trying to do the same thing the owners of land in Cordonnier Close have done – put up a fence and change its use.

“Public open space should stay as such – open and accessible for all.”

Matthew Bill, neighbourhood and green spaces officer at the council, has opposed the application.

He said: “The land is public open space and should not be fenced by the residents to form private garden.

“The space at Netherfield Close has not been assessed as being surplus to requirements.

“The owner has obligations to maintain the land in a suitable condition for public access. They should retain appropriate public liability insurance in case of injury to persons entering the land.”

More than 75 people attended a public meeting last month about public open space being sold off.

Areas in Cordonnier Close, Pinel Close, Machin Drive, Geveze Way and Netherfield Close designated as public space were sold by estate developer, Jelson, last year.

The Planning Inspectorate is investigating a retrospective application to erect a 6ft-high fence around land in Cordonnier Close.