A TOWN council said it was a "sad day" for Bourne when a security fence is needed to be put up around the Abbey Lawn.
Bourne Town Council discussed the proposals by Bourne United Charities to put up a security fence around the Abbey Road grounds at its highways and planning meeting on Tuesday night.
The application has been submitted because of problems with vand
alism on the lawn for the past few years.
Coun Pet Moisey said: “It is a very sad day for Bourne that a sports area donated for the use of sporting activities is being spoiled by a few people and needs this kind of measure.
“The majority of people use it for the purpose for which it was intended and I think we can’t object because we need to try and keep those grounds so it can be used for sporting facilities.”
Coun Shirley Cliffe said the fence would hopefully solve the problem.
Coun Sandra Wilson agreed the fence was needed and felt it was good that it would be painted green and in keeping with the design of the lawn.
The council voiced no objections to the plans.
The Abbey Lawn was bought by Bourne United Charities in the 1930s with the intention of preserving it as an open space, but persistent problems with vandalism have forced trustees to take action.
In July 2006 there was a public meeting to discuss the best way forward and a committee was formed under the guidance of Terry Bates, who died in January.
The group recommended a fence enclosing the lawn and Bourne United Charities backed the plans.
A planning application was eventually submitted in March this year.
Last year the charity employed security guards to patrol the lawn and the Wellhead to deter vandals.
The patrols will continue until the fence is put up.
The charity also wants to impose a curfew on the land from dusk to dawn.
