A ROW has erupted over a fence built to quell fears over anti-social behaviour.
Saltney councillor Klaus Armstrong-Braun has criticised the new security measure on the town’s Park Avenue playing fields, designed to prevent youths congregating near the homes of elderly residents in Larch Way.
As well as believing the fence is restricting views and limiting access for pensioners, Cllr Armstrong-Braun claims Saltney Town Council should not have been allowed to build the fence.
He said: “This fence is like a big prison. It is awful and why should Saltney residents living behind be unable to gain access to the field and have to look at this?
“It is unlawfully obstructing access to a public footpath and I do not believe the council has consulted the people affected by this.
“The money spent could have gone on a CCTV camera.”
Measuring about eight feet in height, the fence covers a lengthy distance along the field.
Its introduction follows months of complaints from residents of Larch Way about behaviour on their street.
Saltney Stonebridge councillor Veronica Gay, who is also mayor of Saltney, defended the installation of the fence and insisted the town council had followed the correct planning procedures.
She said: “This matter was documented in a town council meeting which Cllr Amstrong-Braun left. We have followed the usual provisos.
“The creation of this fence is due to all the anti-social behaviour. We have been keen to get the fence up as quickly as possible to please our residents.
“We have police backing for the fence and hope this will limit the threat of youths making their way towards where the pensioners are.”
Cllr Armstrong-Braun has made written complaints to the county council requesting proceedings are begun for its removal.
Mike Hornby, Flintshire’s head of leisure services, said: “We are aware of the situation and are in discussions with Saltney Town Council about the matter.”