A SECURITY fence will be built at a health centre due to fears over bonfires and “illicit activities” in its car park.

NHS Bolton was granted planning permission to build a boundary fence and two security gates at Pikes Lane Primary Care Resource Centre in Deane Road, Deane.

In its application, the trust said the car park had been used for unspecified illicit activity in the past and that there had also been antisocial behaviour.

A blaze had also been started on the cark park, which caused damage that had to be paid for by the trust.

Bolton Council’s planning committee has now granted permission for a 2.2-metrehigh pallistrade fence to be built.

An objection had been received from Asif Patel, owner of the Spar store at the site of the old Gibraltar Rock Pub in Deane Road, who claimed the fence would make the area look “like a prison”.

Speaking at the planning meeting, Cllr Rosa Kay said: “There have been problems in the past with bonfires and in response to the objection I’d say beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Cllr Andy Morgan said: “I’ve held my surgery at the centre and staff there told me there were problems.”