Diss Cricket Club wants to put a gated fence, about 6ft high, around the perimeter of the meadow, leaving a public footpath and access via Skelton Road.

But the plans have met with a number of objections from residents, who feel they are losing a piece of valuable green space in the town.

"It's going to look unsightly," said Elizabeth Bootman, who lives in The Entry.

"It's an open space and we feel we should have free access to it."

Cricket club vice-chairman Mike Tooke said the fence would not stop people accessing the meadow as the gates would be left open.

He said the level of anti-social behaviour and vandalism at Rectory Meadow meant changes had to be made.

"From our perspective, and I have played cricket in Diss for 35 years, it is a very sad time that it has come to this," said Mr Tooke.

"It's going to cause a huge financial impact on the club."

Diss mayor Simon Olander said members of the town council's Amenities Committee had carried out a site visit to Rectory Meadow with representatives of Norfolk Police to discuss the issue.

"The cricket club has had an ongoing problem of vandalism and dog fouling at Rectory Meadow," he said.

"They have had people burning furniture, drinking and smashing glass all over the pitch."

The town council has agreed to support the plans, providing the fence is aesthetically pleasing and not intrusive.

Some residents have accused the cricket club of playing up the level of anti-social behaviour at the meadow in order to fence off the land.

"People believe the vandalism is just a red herring and the real reason for the fence is so the club can charge admission to matches," said one resident who did not want to be named. "Yes, there is some low-level anti-social behaviour but no more than anywhere else in town."

The cricket club said it has no plans to charge entry to the meadow and the level of vandalism has been recognised by both the police and Diss Town Council.

Diss Inspector Ed Brown said vandalism had been a recurring problem at Rectory Meadow, especially during the summer months.

"I think a fence is one option definitely to be considered," he said.

Diss Cricket Club will now apply to South Norfolk Council for planning permission to put up the fence.

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