THE East Cliff goat fence has been extended once again along Undercliff Drive and now reaches close to Bournemouth pier.

However, some residents have expressed their anger at this decision.

Back in 2019, the fence was erected to a height of six feet.

After complaints from residents, it was reduced to four feet and the goats have been grazing on the edge of the cliff since early 2020.

And after seeing the extension of the fence, resident Alec Absalom wrote to BCP councillors.

He said: “We were surprised and saddened to see yet more of the same fencing being installed today on the sloping path past the Russell Cotes museum and along the Overcliff Road.

“The fence is almost adjacent to the existing fence but appreciably taller. No attempt to position it lower down and it is clear it will block the views from this long length of path.

“Why no use of the obvious alternative, metal stakes fixed at an angle lower down the slope?”

The fence is a few feet behind the already-inplace, smaller white fence.

Councillor Mark Anderson, portfolio holder for environment, cleansing and waste, said: “The cliffs management plan was adopted by cabinet member decision in 2013 – prior to the inception of BCP Council – following extensive public consultation.

“The new fencing near Undercliff Drive is one of nine compartments that have been made to house our goats as part of our 10-year funded environmental stewardship agreement with Natural England.

“The goats are moved between compartments grazing back invasive species, improving the habitat for native plants and animals to thrive, including rare species such as Dartford warblers and sand lizards.

“The goats will also reduce the height and weight of vegetation on the cliffs, helping to minimise the chance of cliff slips by eating succulent plants such as the hottentot-fig which thrive on steep coastal cliffs and can cause erosion.

“The goats have proved popular with residents and visitors and provide a safe, natural and sustainable way of managing the cliffs, helping us to respond locally to the ecological emergency and also internationally to play our part in species recovery.”