Residents and councillors protested in Rainham on Sunday after a plot of open green space was fenced off by its owner.

A fence has been put up in Surridge Close around the green, which has recently been the subject of a failed planning application for two houses.

Resident Karen Roberts said: “The piece of land in the close has been played on by children and the owner has just put a 6ft fence up around it.

“It seems spiteful and it’s ruined the look of the street.”

Cllr Jeff Tucker (Independent Residents’ Group, Rainham and Wennington) said: “The community has used the green for years, it’s quite disappointing. I hope the community will be able to use it again.”

The Recorder has been unable to contact the owner of the land.