Anti-social behaviour on the Lower Demesnes, in Barnard Castle, has triggered complaints from residents about noise, litter and gouged tyre marks on the grass in recent years.
Barnard Castle town council has responded with a £10,000 scheme to fence off a corner of the Lower Demesnes with a gate along the road track.
Talks between the town council and Durham County Council gave rise to the plans for 92m of “Bird’s Mouth” fencing which is expected to be about one and a half feet high.
The height restriction barrier at the end of Gray Lane will remain in place under the plans with keys offered to residents of the Mill Cottages for the new gate.
A town council consultation on anti-social behaviour on the Demesnes was launched late last year with county officers and Durham Police also part of the discussions. Clerk Michael King said the fencing solution received “significant support”.
However, there was at least one resident of Mill Terrace concerned about cars being funneled into the new space, fearing it would create more noise near their home.
Some residents thought the plans did not go far enough while others didn’t think there was a problem at all.
Cllr Richard Child thought the fence was probably the best solution.
He said: “It’s a shame that we have to do something like that because I think it spoils the Demesnes. But from what I’ve heard something has to be done so really I think this is the best way forward.”
Cllr John Blissett agreed.
“It’s the best of all the options – it’s preserving what we’ve got,” he said.
Cllr Kelly Blissett added: “It’s got steadily worse over the last few years as well.”
Chairman of the services committee Cllr Roger Peat noticed those living higher on the upper Demesnes tended to want the fence while those nearer the river did not.
Cllr John Blissett added: “I think there is a little bit of ‘not near my house’ paranoia over that.”
A straight 50m stretch of the fencing will hug the track on the Lower Demesnes before it takes a 60 degree right turn towards the river.
Original plans had lined up 150m for the Demenses before it was revised and cut back to 92m.
Other suggestions included £60,000-worth of mounds and ditches but that was overlooked due to cost constraints. The new scheme would paid for from the town council’s Delivering Differently programme, which is yet to be signed off from the county council.
Mr King added: “It’s been an interesting piece of work – I would like to recognise the effort Sgt Simon Rogers, from Barnard Castle Police, has put in as well as officers from Durham County Council and the manager of Raby Estates.”
Mr King said Raby Estates were “broadly supportive” of the fresh proposals so far.
Cllr Peat reckoned the town council could improve the Demesnes, it’ paths and wildlife once it is taken over.
Members agreed to recommend the fence project to full council. A consultation with householders at Mill Cottages has also been lined up to discuss gate arrangements.
A town council consultation on anti-social behaviour on the Demesnes was launched late last year with county officers and Durham Police also part of the discussions. Clerk Michael King said the fencing solution received “significant support”.
However, there was at least one resident of Mill Terrace concerned about cars being funneled into the new space, fearing it would create more noise near their home.
Some residents thought the plans did not go far enough while others didn’t think there was a problem at all.
Cllr Richard Child thought the fence was probably the best solution.
He said: “It’s a shame that we have to do something like that because I think it spoils the Demesnes. But from what I’ve heard something has to be done so really I think this is the best way forward.”
Cllr John Blissett agreed.
“It’s the best of all the options – it’s preserving what we’ve got,” he said.
Cllr Kelly Blissett added: “It’s got steadily worse over the last few years as well.”
Chairman of the services committee Cllr Roger Peat noticed those living higher on the upper Demesnes tended to want the fence while those nearer the river did not.
Cllr John Blissett added: “I think there is a little bit of ‘not near my house’ paranoia over that.”
A straight 50m stretch of the fencing will hug the track on the Lower Demesnes before it takes a 60 degree right turn towards the river.
Original plans had lined up 150m for the Demenses before it was revised and cut back to 92m.
Other suggestions included £60,000-worth of mounds and ditches but that was overlooked due to cost constraints. The new scheme would paid for from the town council’s Delivering Differently programme, which is yet to be signed off from the county council.
Mr King added: “It’s been an interesting piece of work – I would like to recognise the effort Sgt Simon Rogers, from Barnard Castle Police, has put in as well as officers from Durham County Council and the manager of Raby Estates.”
Mr King said Raby Estates were “broadly supportive” of the fresh proposals so far.
Cllr Peat reckoned the town council could improve the Demesnes, it’ paths and wildlife once it is taken over.
Members agreed to recommend the fence project to full council. A consultation with householders at Mill Cottages has also been lined up to discuss gate arrangements.
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