RESIDENTS on a Bolton council estate are celebrating after winning a long battle to be fenced in. Now their victory could mean fences going up on other open plan council estates throughout the borough. Councillors agreed residents could put fences around their front gardens on the Platt Hill estate after a survey found nearly 87pc supported the move.

The open plan layout at the front the of the 105 semi-detached houses had repeatedly caused friction over the years.

Residents claimed they only agreed to go open plan because they wrongly thought the council would maintain the front gardens.

But even when residents agreed to pay, housing staff turned down requests, including a petition, for fences to be erected.

Councillors had a change of heart after a survey by their staff and the Hulton Lane Residents' Association showed overwhelming support.

The survey showed people wanted the fences to keep in children, deter dogs, stop youths roaming over their gardens and prevent the theft of plants. Residents, half of whom have bought the council houses, will have to pay for their own fences which must stay within strict guidelines agreed by both sides.

Now similar surveys are to be carried out on other open plan estates in the borough.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.