Five years after their first fence went up on Mistley Quay, owners TW Logistics Limited want to replace it with a new one.

That first fence did not require planning permission, but since Mistley Quay was designated under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning permitted development legislation last year, TWL have to apply to Tendring District Council for planning consent for the new fence.

The proposed fence is solid iron railing, about 1.5m high, with spikes on the top. No one has yet seen the fence but local protest group Free The Quay unveiled a mock-up, based the description in the planning application, to the public on Mistley Quay at 9am on Thursday 16 May.

Anyone wanting to compare TWL's proposed fence with an alternative proposed by FTQ that is acceptable to the people of Mistley and meets Health and Safety requirements, can view both at a FTQ exhibition next weekend on the quay.

Free the Quay will be lodging a detailed objection to the new fence before the expiry date for objections on 31 May 2013.

FTQ's initial response to the proposed fence is that it is wholly inappropriate to the conservation area by reason of its mass, severely interrupts views of the river and constitutes a safety risk to anyone needing to cross it in either direction for emergency purposes.

'We accept the need for a fence,' explains FTQ chair Simon Bullimore, 'but its message should be “Watch Out” not “Keep Out”.'

'Free the Quay has repeatedly offered to pay for the installation of a bollard and chain or similar barrier set back from the Quay edge, which would meet Health and Safety Executive recommendations. These are seen in many other historic ports open to the public' 'But TWL has always refused to consider this offer of an appropriate barrier at no cost to themselves. FTQ asks why?'

Responding to TWL's proposal to paint the new fence 'Venetian Red'. Simon Bullimore said: “We are claiming that Mistley Quay is a Village Green for the enjoyment of the people of Mistley, it is not St Marks Square. The river is the Stour of Constable not the Grand Canal of Canaletto.

The Free the Quay exhibition on Mistley Quay runs from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 26 May between 2pm and 4pm both days.

For further information contact:
Simon Bullimore (FTQ chair) 01255 870346 or 07711 749585

http://www.facebook.com/groups/freethequay

Link to Application on Tendring District Council website: http://idox.tendringdc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MM0X19QB0GD00

Come and join us for an Italian Feast at Lucca on Monday 10 June at 7pm

For just £20 per ticket you will be able to eat a delicious meal consisting of:

• Antipasti Misti
• Rigatoni con Ragu Napoletano & Troffie con Pesto Genovese
• Pollo arrosto (roast chicken with garlic, lemon & herbs)  or Brodetto (local fish stew with tomatoes, fennel & herbs) or Melanzane Involtini (aubergine with mozzarella, basil and tomato)
• Zabaglione Semifreddo with fresh strawberries

AND  enjoy a drink on arrival

Tickets are available from:

Lucca Enoteca
39-43 High Street
Manningtree
Essex CO11 1AH

http://www.luccafoods.co.uk/

The Mistley Thorn
High Street, Mistley, Essex CO11 1HE

http://www.mistleythorn.co.uk/

ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARDS THE LEGAL FUND TO FREE THE QUAY AT MISTLEY