Permission for the erection of a new netted fence around playing fields within the Dulwich Village Conservation Area has been granted by Southwark Borough Council.

The 3m high and 40m wide fence is will surround the playing fields at Griffin Sports Club, located in Dulwich Village, directly opposite Dulwich Hamlet and inside the treasured Dulwich Village Conservation Area.

Speaking at a council meeting for the application, one councillor said: “It is recommended that planning permission is granted subject to the conditions as mentioned.” The planning application was subject to conditions such as the Metropolitan Open Land, the Conservation Area of Dulwich Village and the fact the playing fields are a Site Of Importance for Nature Conservation.

One key problem with the application was its location within the Dulwich Village Conservation Area, which has strict restrictions about conserving the character and look of the area, and it was found that the development would have no considerable impact.

Another consideration was the Metropolitan Open Land designation, which protects open spaces within London from inappropriate development. It was found that the fence would only use 1% of the wider MOL of the area.

A third and final important condition was the ecology and biodiversity of the local area, with it ultimately being found that there were no bird or bat nests in the area and no ground-nesting within the site, so there would be little negative impact on biodiversity.

The development was also found to serve a recreational use for outdoor sports and would not detract from the openness of the local area. It would also have a public benefit of increasing safety, precision and the overall enjoyment of community users of the playing fields.