A RUNDOWN site in Barrow plagued by arson attacks and anti-social behaviour is to be protected with a new 7ft security fence and gates.

The new measures for Salthouse Mills industrial estate have been passed by Barrow Borough Council’s planning committee.

Property developers and new site owners Hiltongrove Limited submitted the scheme which will allow access for pedestrians and vehicles using the site.

Council planners said the area had a history of “antisocial activity” from fires to fly tipping, unauthorised motorcycle scrambling, and dumped stolen vehicles.

Planning officer Maureen Smith told a meeting in the town hall: “The site has recently changed hands and the first priority for the new owner is to make the site secure.

“Members will be aware there has been a whole host of anti-social behaviour – mostly recently an arson attack a couple of weeks ago.

“The new site owner is working with a couple of businesses down there and they need to make sure they have access.”

Mrs Smith said the fencing would fit in and not be intrusive.

The original fence line to the north of the site was amended to make sure an existing right of way was not shut off.

Planning committee chairwoman Ann Thompson said problems at the site had been a “bane” for years.

“This will tidy it up and hopefully stop the fires,” said Cllr Thomson, the Labour councillor for Hindpool.

“It has been such an eyesore and has just got worse and worse. Hopefully the new owners will make a concerted effort to try and get planning permission to do something with it. It’s a prime location for houses.”

“It’s tragic that a big piece of land is sitting there in a great location with no chance of developing it, unless we can sort out the access,” she added.

Planning committee member Cllr Kevin Hamilton told the meeting it was “crazy” that access continued to be down a badly-maintained “unadopted” road with doubts over its ownership.

This prevented it being brought up to proper standard, he said.

“No-body knows who owns the road and I think it’s about time that was sorted out as well,” said Cllr Hamilton, the Labour councillor for Risedale.

The committee agreed the application.