PROTESTORS in a planning wrangle have accused a rugby club of trying to turn a sports ground into something resembling a detention centre.

More than 20 letters of objection and a petition signed by nearly 100 people were sent to Derwentside District Council protesting against plans by Consett Rugby Club to build a 7ft spiked fence around its fields and clubhouse.

The club said the security measures were needed to protect its property from drug users and vandals.

A packed council meeting at Consett Civic Centre last week heard councillors acknowledge that the fields had been open to the public for generations.

The club, which has received £300,000 from National Lottery Agent Sport England towards the £400,000 needed for improved facilities and establishing a centre of excellence, agreed to alter plans so that people could still walk across the fields behind Consett Civic Centre.

The club also agreed to reduce the size of the fence, which will not topped by spikes, from 7ft to 6ft.

Speaking at the meeting, campaigner John Page said: "This tract of land has been opened to the public for as long as I can remember and is a great asset to the town. To fence it off for a few rugby players for a few hours a week does not make sense. It would be a legacy of shame."

Another protestor said the rugby club grounds were an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and would look like a detention centre with the spiked fences.

Rugby club chairman John O'Connor said he had worked for seven years to bring first- class facilities to all the young people of Derwentside.

He said: "We counted seven used hypodermic needles one day. There is dog muck and we have had 12 police reports of youngsters causing damage in the few months."

Councillors agreed to the club's amended plans to allow public access across the fields and noted the club's plans to reduce the height of the fence