Jer Lane Cricket Club, on Horton Bank Top, has been granted planning permission for a 2.1m security fence between the club’s grounds and Jer Lane.
The club said the fence was needed due to repeated incidents of vandalism and instances where people trespass on the grounds.
The application said the grounds are often damaged by bike riders, strewn with litter, including laughing gas cannisters, and contaminated with dog poo.
Dozens of objections
But the plans have proven controversial, with dozens of local people objecting to the plan.
Some said the fence would be an eyesore, while many felt the field should not be closed off.
Objectors said young people often play on the cricket grounds, and that it is an important green space in an inner city area.
Changes to original application
The application went before the Bradford Planning Panel in July, but the decision was adjourned to allow the club to come up with any other solution other than fencing off the grounds.
The plans were amended, and the proposed fencing would now be paladin, rather than palisade fencing.
The application went back before the panel on Wednesday morning, with planning officers recommending approval.
They said the different style of fencing “offers a similar level of security whilst having a greater amount of intervisibility and appearing less.”
There were no objectors or supporters at Wednesday’s meeting.
Site has ‘suffered from anti-social behaviour’
Panel members pointed out that many of the objections related to the loss of a green space if the club’s ground are fenced off.
Planning officer Andrew Moxon said: “This is not a public open space – it is a private site and any access is up to the gift of the cricket club.
“Over the years it has been accessed by the public, and most have been respectful.
“But the site has suffered from anti-social behaviour and that has had an impact on the club’s costs and insurance.”
Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle and Thackley) said: “It is sad that the behaviour of a few mean places like this have to be closed off to other people.”
‘We need to protect this facility’
Chair of the Committee Councillor Sinead Engel (Lab, Clayton and Fairweather Green) said: “I fully agree with that comment.
“I’m not a big fan of cricket, but I would prefer the sound of people playing cricket to the sound of people riding round on quad bikes and doing other things we’d rather they didn’t.
“We need to protect this facility. They shouldn’t have to do this, but that’s the state of play.”
Members unanimously voted to approve the plans.