A CRICKET club has had an application to erect a 12-metre fence to protect people from flying balls rejected.

In August the Wanstead and Snaresbrook Cricket Club in Nutter Lane, Wanstead, asked for permission to erect a fence on its broder.

But it was rejected following claims it would spoil the look of the conservation area.

The club returned with a bid to erect a fence on the boundary between the club and Drummond Lawn Tennis Club.

But this was also rejected by Redbridge Council’s chief planning officer.

The ground is currently surrounded by a six-metre high fence, which community group the Counties Residents' Association said the club could do more to maintain.

Member Helen Zammett said: "We had no problem with the idea of replacing the fence which is already there.

“We just thought the replacement was of an excessive height.”