A FOOTBALL club’s bid to fence off a playing field has been put on hold after councillors voted to defer a planning application amid concern over access to a local wildlife pond.

Skelton United FC’s proposal for near two-and-a-half metre high fencing, along with the addition of an overflow car park, triggered 40 objections from local residents.

Some likened it to a “prison camp” fence and said the field, off Marske Lane, Skelton, east Cleveland, was not only used by footballers.

The club’s supporters said pitches on the De Brus Centre field were “covered in excrement and rubbish” and said games had been cancelled due to damage from motorbikers.

Last year a similar row blew up over plans by Guisborough Town FC to fence off its pitches, plans which were granted by councillors.

Skelton East ward councillor Cliff Foggo, who did not vote on the application, said the proposed layout of the fencing blocked access to a wildlife pond from Marske Lane and Ennerdale.

He said if the application was approved it would mean visitors to the pond, including young children and the disabled, would have to take a longer route along Windermere Drive, Bowland Road and Nidderdale.

Redcar and Cleveland Council’s regulatory committee was told that the council owned pond was maintained by a community group, Friends of Skelton Wildlife Pond, which had spent about £12,000 to install a pushchair and wheelchair friendly path to the north side of the pond, running from Nidderdale to the De Brus field.

Cllr Foggo said the field was leased to the club by the council for football, but also for use by the public as a general park and allowing the application would have a detrimental effect on residents visiting the pond from the field.

He suggested a path could be kept from Ennerdale to the pond and from the Marske Lane entrance to the De Brus Centre and onwards to the pond, which would mean erecting more fencing.

A report by planning officers said it was accepted that fencing the land off meant it would not be as easily accessible by the public from the surrounding residential areas as before.

The report said: “The development is not considered to result in a loss of open space.

“However the fencing of the site is considered to enhance the security of the site and has the potential to reduce any anti-social behaviour on the site.”

Councillor Michael Lockwood said by refusing the application the council would lose any say in matters and proposed a deferral.

He said: “I think if we seek a compromise here and speak to the parties I think they would listen.”

The chairman of the committee, Councillor Stuart Smith said: “We have a conflict with two community groups, Skelton United FC and the friends of the pond group.

“I am quite comfortable with fencing playing areas off, the issue is dog fouling, motorbikes, etc.

“There are young children playing sport and there’s nothing worse than doing a tackle and landing in a load of dog poo.”

He added: “They [the football club] aren’t stopping access, they are putting in an access point at the De Brus Centre itself.

“It is probably going to be inconvenient for residents because they can’t cut across the field to get to one point from the other, but with the access point people can still use it [the playing field] and exercise there.

“My concern, like other committee members, is the access to the pond itself.

“It’s sad that a compromise hasn’t been found – I’m sure there is an easy solution that can be worked out which won’t mean an additional cost to the club.

“I would hope the parties come together and find a solution here and bring it back to us so it’s something we can be happy with.”

Councillor Philip Thomson said: “There are some questions that need to be addressed.

“I do think a deferment keeps the opportunity for dialogue open.

“Access to the wildlife pond area is an issue, the necessity to fence in the car parking area, and there is a general question about access to the whole site.

“It’s not unreasonable for the club to reassess.”

There were no representatives of the club at the meeting, but the council’s development services manager Claire Griffiths said she would get in touch with the applicant to discuss the outcome and potential next steps.