Plans to stop people rough sleeping in bandstand

The bandstand in Bedford Park was built in 1892

A council is planning to install security grilles to a bandstand to stop homeless people from sleeping in it.

Bedford Borough Council said there had been an "ongoing issue" with people gaining unauthorised access to the structure in Bedford Park.

As part of the proposal the council said the retractable grilles, railings and stairs will be painted black to "align" with the existing appearance of the bandstand.

It said the addition will have "no significant impact" to the Grade II listing of Bedford Park and garden, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Bedford Park was first opened to the public in 1888 with the the bandstand built in 1892.

In proposal documents, the council admitted the structure was unlikely to meet the tests to be listed as a heritage asset because of the restoration, despite its age and high level of community interest.

It explained the grilles are to be "used as deterrent to protect the bandstand from unauthorised access/homeless sleeping which is an ongoing issue".

Members of the public are being consulted on the proposal until 20 August.