PLANS to fence off part of a public park to allow children to play without being bothered by dogs are now in doubt.

Tory leaders at Rochford Council had rubber-stamped proposals to spend £15,000 fencing off the play area in Grove Woods, Rayleigh.

However, they will now be forced to look again at the decision after an outcry from fellow councillors.

June Lumley (Lib Dem, Grange), chairman of the review committee that called for the re-think, said: “There was a real concern.

“It is mainly about whether such a large amount of money should be spent on something like fencing. It is a public space and many members felt it should be kept as that.”

The play area in the park, off Grove Road and Connaught Road, was built in 2009. It features earth mounds, sand pits and pieces of play equipment.

Bosses first proposed fencing the area last year to stop dog fouling, but news of the decision did not reach backbench Rochford councillors because the money came straight from Essex County Council.

Mike Steptoe, Tory councillor responsible for the environment, said: “We have not reached any conclusions about this at the moment.”