COMMUNITY volunteers who are taking control of Malvern Youth Centre say Worcestershire County Council plans to put up “ugly and intimidating” security fences across the green space around the facility.

Members of Malvern Community Collective say they were told of the plans at a meeting with council officers on Wednesday.

The group was granted a 30- year lease on the Albert Road North centre in November. It also wants to take over the open space surrounding the centre, saying it is vital to its vision of making it a community hub.

However, the council plans to retain it for future development.

Julian Roskams, of MCC, said: “When we met the officers, they said the council now wants to put up much heavier fences around the centre than first planned.

“They will be much uglier and run straight across this green area in the centre of Malvern.

“The public footpath that runs across the land will be enclosed on both sides, making it intimidating to many users, especially at night.”

Mr Roskams said county council leader Adrian Hardman has agreed to meet them to discuss the issue on Tuesday, February 14.

No one from the council was available to comment.