A proposed fence at Sidmouth cricket club to reduce the risk of serious injury or death from balls being hit onto the seafront has won the support of civic leaders – but only for three years.
Town council planning committee members hope the time period gives Fortfield bosses the chance to research an alternative that could be erected on a day-by-day basis.
Current proposals from the Sidmouth Cricket, Tennis and Croquet Club would see a six-metre-high ball-stop fence in place from April to September.
Club bosses submitted a planning application to tackle the ‘increasing incidence’ of balls leaving the Fortfield’s southern perimeter due to changes in the sport.
The barrier is intended to ‘mitigate against the possibility of serious injury or death’, while being sensitive to the conservation area, according to the application.
It also proposes the erection of a shed to store the fence when it is not in use.
East Devon District Council will decide the fate of the application.
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