A PUB owner will be allowed to keep the six-foot fence he built to keep people out of his car park during lockdown.

The fence at The Spotted Dog in High Coniscliffe sparked complaints from residents when it was put up to stop people walking through the car park last year.

Mr Sowerby, who made the application, did not attend a planning committee meeting but told Darlington Borough Council that the car park had been used by pedestrians as a short cut and he was worried about security as he was not resident at the pub during its closure.

He added that it was often used by dog walkers and large amounts of dog mess had been left on the grass area and in the play area.

But the fence has sparked complaints by residents of the village who said it was an “eyesore”, out of character with the area and meant pedestrians had to use a narrow footpath next to the busy A67 instead, which they were concerned was more dangerous.

Due to the position and size of the fence, planning permission is needed and Mr Sowerby made a retrospective application in May.

Member’s of Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee approved the application at a meeting on Wednesday.

Councillor Gerald Lee said: “I find it quite amazing that a pub would put up a six-foot fence to stop people coming in. Why not five-foot?

“At six feet it is overboard. Irrespective of the colour I can’t see how it fits in, I’m gobsmacked.”

He added: “The main reason for the fence was through Covid to stop lots of people walking through with their dogs and their mess and it was a question of security.

“Hopefully now Covid is coming to an end I would have expected him to take down this abhorrent fence. It does nothing for the pub or to invite people in.”

Among those to complain was High Coniscliffe Parish Council, which said it was unsightly and added that it blocked an established public thoroughfare.

There was also concern that all traffic to the pub now has to use Mill Lane, which the parish council said would disturb elderly neighbours to the pub and could result in emergency vehicle access being blocked.

However, highway officers said the arrangement was an improvement in terms of safety as the A67 entrance, which has been used for years, had poor visibility.

Conservation officers said the fence had a “less than substantial” level of harm to the conservation area. They have recommended the fence is painted a more appropriate colour.

A report by planning officers concluded: “Officers consider that the painting of the fence will reduce the visual impact of the fencing and furthermore the removal of an unsatisfactory access and the improvements made to the footway adjacent to the A67 which would be secured by a planning condition is a public benefit which outweighs the identified harm to the High Coniscliffe Conservation Area.”

Cllr Lee was one of three councillors to oppose granting permission. It was approved by six votes to three.

Cllr Jack Sowerby did not take part in the debate and vote as he is related to the applicant.