VILLAGERS are furious after a four-metre high fence was erected around a new sports field near their homes – one metre higher than recommended by FA guidelines.

Kevan Kelsey, who lives in Kempsford, said villagers have nicknamed the new structure on Top Road ‘Colditz’ after the German castle used as a prisoner of war camp in World War Two.

“Sometimes ludicrous decisions are made and our towns and villages are left with eyesores that can't be undone,” he said.

In 2014, Cotswold District Council (CDC) approved an application submitted by developers Bower Mapson Ltd for 29 homes, including 11 affordable homes, which included space for sports ground with a car park.

That development is now complete, with the homes occupied by new residents.

And while Mr Kelsey, who has lived in the village for six years and approved of the new homes, said the fence – which began to be put up last month – “wasn't talked about when the development was approved”.

“What is difficult to understand is that the regulating authority, The FA, recommend in their literature that a three metre surrounding fence would be adequate for such a small playing field, measuring just 50x80 yards,” he said.

“Yet the developers and the parish council have decided that an enormous four metre-fence is required.

“And, to make matters worse, the fence in some parts has been built one metre above the pitch level, therefore giving five metres of protection,” he added.

Mr Kelsey has researched many playing fields throughout Gloucestershire and said he couldn’t find any as big as the one in Kempsford.

“To preserve our villages we must stop eyesores like these being erected.

“The developers don't have to live with them and the parish councils should be looking at the bigger picture and not base their decisions on whether a ball might end up in a resident’s garden,” he said.

Teresa Griffin, Kempsford Parish Council clerk, said: “The fence was an obligation under the Section 106 agreement [Town and Country Planning Act 1990].

“It was a planning application submitted in 2012 which went through the correct process.

“Residents have had plenty of opportunity to comment. The plans are all on the CDC planning portal.

“The developers held an open day in the village hall, which was widely advertised. Plans, including for the fence, were displayed.”

She said on the site of the new pitch there used to be a smaller sports area used by children at Kempsford Primary School, and the fence around that was raised after complaints from a resident.

“The new pitch is a community space so will be used by everyone, including adults,” said Teresa. “So it was felt necessary for this fence to be four metres.”

“It wasn’t just the parish council but CDC and the county council were also party to the 106 agreement,” she added.