RESIDENTS have spoken of their dismay at "ridiculous" plans for their homes to be "fenced in" against their will.
Croydon Council plans to build security railings around the block of maisonettes at 67-82 Brierley, in Fieldway, and the next-door block.
It will also install door entry phones, as part of a £28,644 scheme, for which some of the 13 leaseholders will be billed more than £1,700 each.
The authority says the plan is "in response to reports of antisocial behaviour" but the need for the fence is disputed by some residents.
Leaseholder Sarah Kiffin said: "I have been here since 1968 and I have no problem with anyone. I feel more at risk if they put the fence up.
"It sends out the message, we are caged and we are vulnerable and at risk, that the council has to do this to protect you."
Neighbour Loraine Nicholls said the only problems had been on the stairwell between floors.
She said: "Putting an entry door there would be sensible.
"But this is quite ridiculous. This is a row of terraced houses. I have lived here 40 years and there has never been any trouble."
Residents added information about the scheme had been unclear, and they were not certain their block would be affected until being told in January work was due to start soon.
Plans could be seen by appointment in the daytime at Taberner House, rather than hard copies being sent out or available online.
A group of leaseholders has now written jointly to the council, registering its objections to the idea.
The council has already agreed a £66,146 contract for this and other blocks with its contractor AJS Limited.
But some leaseholders may take matters into their own hands.
Ms Kiffin added: "We will refuse – we are not having them coming in to put in the entry phones – so how are they going to have a fence with a gate?"
The cost not met by the leaseholders is covered from the Housing Revenue Account, which is contributed to by the tenants' rent.
A council spokesman said its neighbourhood wardens had reported signs of drug use and graffiti in the stairwell and around the block
He said: "We are currently consulting with leaseholders over proposals to install a security door entry system at Brierley.
"This follows reports we have received about antisocial behaviour (16 in total) from 2011/12.
"We have been installing security door entry systems for more than ten years, having installed more than 250 schemes, many with fencing and railings.
"We believe these have all been successful in deterring antisocial behaviour and in providing better security and peace of mind to residents."
