Arsenal get the go-ahead for fence in Bryantwood and Benwell roads
Published: 02 April 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB
ARSENAL Football Club have finally won permission to erect a metal security fence taking up two metres of residents’ gardens – on condition it is painted green.
The fence is necessary to protect residents and workmen during building taking place on the neighbouring Queensland Road development in Highbury.
Up to 20 residents of affected Bryantwood Road attended Tuesday’s East Area Planning Committee meeting to register their concerns. They have asked for compensation and further security measures to be put in place.
The fence, standing 2.2m high, will cut across the gardens of numbers 2 to 72 Bryantwood Road, and 52 Benwell Road.
Agents representing the Arsenal at the meeting said they were not obliged to pay compensation but agreed to paint the fence green, add a skirting board to keep out the rats and install a “fence defence” system at the top to detect intruders.
Sarah Baxter, representing Arsenal, said: “Regarding the 2m issue, our main objective is to ensure the safety of residents and contractors on the site.”
Lib Dem council leader Cllr Terry Stacy told Ms Baxter: “Goodwill goes a long way when you’re building close to people’s homes and I really hope the applicant will consider that.”
Ms Baxter told the meeting 44 residents have made a party wall agreement without taking compensation.