A FENCE put up without permission to tackle antisocial behaviour may have to be torn down with planning bosses suggesting it did not promote “sustainable transport”.

A retrospective planning application for the fence, located between John Castle Way and Bourne Court in Colchester, is set to appear before Colchester Council planning bosses next week.

The site is a footpath and cycleway located to the east of John Castle Way and west of Dudley Court.

It is associated with the development of homes in John Castle Way which connects King George Avenue with Dudley Court.

A complaint was later made to the council’s planning enforcement team that the footpath and cycleway had been closed off by a closed-boarded fence.

The complaint was investigated, and a site meeting took place with residents of the estate, estate managers, planning officers and ward councillors.

It was explained a planning application would need to be submitted to the city council to seek the retention of the fence.

The application was referred to the planning committee after the application was called in by councillor Martin Warnes after it was deemed “controversial locally”.

However, the fence may now have to be torn down as planning bosses look set to refuse the proposal.

Objection comments raised over the fence included the loss of walkable access to amenities such as the doctor’s surgery and schools and fears over isolation from the wider community.

Those in favour noted how the alleyway is allegedly used for criminal activity, with antisocial behaviour on the pathway including drug dealing and threatening behaviour.

The fence was reportedly being used to prevent this and make the area safer for children.

However, the new application has been recommended for refusal.

A planning document reads: “Whilst the need for the fence to combat perceived antisocial behaviour is understood the demonstrable harm caused by the blocking of this conduit clearly fails to promote active and sustainable modes of transport.”

The council noted an “alternative solution needs to be found to combat the antisocial behaviour experienced whilst allowing for use of the approved route which provided an important link”.