Football club fence would be 'like a prison'

Along with a football pitch, the playing field is home to a pavilion, playground and multi-use games area

People living near a playing field have objected to plans for a new fence because it would make the area "feel like a prison".

The committee running the King George V Field in Caister-on-Sea, which is home to Caister Football Club, wants to install a 4.2m (13.8ft) high fence behind one of the goal areas.

It would be used to prevent balls going into nearby gardens.

A report for Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s development committee recommends that councillors approve the plan.

But six neighbours have objected with one describing the design as "more suited to a security setting".

Others wrote that the fence would spoil their views of the playing field and be an "eyesore", with two writing that it would make their homes "feel like a prison".

Planning documents describe the fence as being 45m (147.6ft) long and made up of green panel fencing.

In a letter to the council’s planning department, the Chairman of Caister Playing Field Committee, Russell Ray, said the club had received funding for the fence from the Football Foundation.

A report for councillors concedes the fence will have "visual impacts" for neighbours overlooking the playing field, but that it "would improve the facilities within the playing field to the benefit of the whole community".

A report for councillors recommended that they should approve the plan when they meet on Wednesday.