A BEAUTY spot, already controversially earmarked for housing, is at the centre of another wrangle after fencing was erected without warning.

English Partnerships, which claims ownership of the Winyates Green 'triangle' in Far Moor Lane, was shocked last week when company JJ Gallagher erected fence posts along an ancient 'drovers' road on the edge of the land.

The company says it owns part of the 12-hectare site acquired from an old family estate. It also disputes the existence of the drovers road.

Complaints have poured into Redditch Highways Partnership Unit about the fence which they say impinges on public rights of way.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) has also raised concerns over alleged damage to trees and hedgerows.

Solicitors for English Partnerships have now demanded JJ Gallagher remove the fencing.

An English Partnerships spokesman said: "Some fence posts have been put on land which is a public highway with the rest on English Partnerships' land.

"This has occurred without our consent and we have instructed our solicitors to ask the contractor to remove all fencing immediately."

JJ Gallagher legal director Phil Morris said his company was not planning a development and said all the public rights of way had been maintained.

Mr Morris said: "It is not considered to be a drovers road and is impassable."