PARENTS and children in Sedbury are up in arms after a householder fenced off an area of spinney they believed was common ground and started to fell trees.
But the man claiming the land says it was being abused by drug addicts, alcoholics and young hooligans with airguns who shot at pets and squirrels.
Other objectors to Mr Ken Pritchard's action are near-neighbours who say they are worried that a haven for wildlife as well as their outlook has been spoilt.
The land in question, known locally as The Dingle, lies off Beachley Road adjacent to Norse Way. Mr Arthur Miller, who lives in Norse Way, says he has made a legal challenge to Mr Pritchard's claim and did not want to talk about the matter while it was in the hands of solicitors.
It is understood Mr Miller claims prior ownership of the site, a former section of rail track which has become overgrown over several years.
However Mr Pritchard said he had checked the ownership with the Land Registry who had told him it was appropriate to fence the land.
"I would not want a young child of mine to play there as it was. When we were clearing it we found syringes, bottles and cans, broken glass and all kinds of rubbish," he said.
"One day while we were having a barbecue in the garden a pellet actually pinged off the stove lid, shot from the area. I caught them shooting a squirrel, too."
He said he had followed the rules and the area had never been common ground. And while it was true the existing playing field had been built on the council had installed brand new play equipment to compensate, making it safe and attractive for children. He had cleared trees because some were rotten.
One parent who did not want her name disclosed said: "We have recently seen the adventure playground reduced in area to make way for more housing.
"Why do we now need to yet again remove an area of mature woodland which is home to many animals and has been a safe play area for the children for many decades?"
People in Norse Way, home to many retired folk, were also reluctant to give their names and intrude on a legal matter, but they were indignant about the fence and the fact that trees and undergrowth had been cleared.
"We are keen birdwatchers. We are very upset about what has happened," one said. "Everything seems to take such a long time. By the time it has been resolved it will be too late."
Parish and district councillor Roy Birch said he had been alerted to the problem some time ago.
"There were complaints that the land wasn't owned by the man who fenced it, but I understand he has registered a claim with the Land Registry Department," he said.
"The area was very overgrown and was being used to dump all sorts of things. There were plans to turn it into an orchard, but I understand that the ownership of the land has been challenged and it is now a legal matter."