YOU published a second letter - this time from Mrs Walters of Almsford Road - claiming Acorn Rugby Club was justified in erecting a two-metre high, industrial standard security fence around public open space on Thanet Road (December 2).

Local residents, whose outlook has been ruined, beg to differ.

It is more than a decade since part of the Thanet Road sports area was leased to Acorn Rugby Club by the then Labour-dominated city council, despite a 2,000-signature petition from residents opposing the plan.

Councillors later approved planning permission for some improvements to the area but opposed proposals to secure the site with railings because of its designation as public open space.

A few weeks ago, without planning permission or local consultation, contractors started to erect ugly railings on top of the landscaping mounds.

The club was immediately requested to stop work and was reminded of earlier discussions which, in essence, had concluded that any fencing should be restricted to the pitch area, out of sight of most passers-by.

Nevertheless, the work continued and the fencing then encroached on to land which the club does not even lease. In those circumstances any landlord could have removed the fencing and recharged any costs to the club.

The club's actions, whether deliberate or naive, are the equivalent of someone erecting a fence around part of Mrs Walters' front lawn and setting up a croquet club.

Had the club talked before taking action their abortive expenditure might have been avoided.

Steve Galloway,

Westfield Ward Councillor,

Stirrup Close, York.

Updated: 09:28 Tuesday, December 09, 2003