PROTESTERS hope that making an area a “village green” could mean the removal of a controversial fence.

The two-metre high fence was put up at Allen’s Quay, Mistley, last month, sparking an ongoing row. Quay owners Trent Wharfage put the fence up for health and safety reasons.

But residents said the fence was spoiling the view and hampered rescue access from the quay.

They formed the Free the Quay group to protest against it.

Now it is hoped that classifying the area as a village green would re-establish some of the historic public rights to the site and could see the fence removed.

The idea is going to be taken by Simon Bullimore, who has been giving Free the Quay legal advice, to Essex County Council leader, Lord Hanningfield.

They are also set to discuss what the county council can do to get the fence removed when they meet tomorrow.