The battle for Leysdown beach took a surprise twist today when a holiday park was ordered to take down a controversial metal fence.

Work on installing the prison-like railings started last week and immediately caused uproar from locals.

After a powerful campaign on social media, including a Save Leysdown Beach page, the Environment Agency stepped in and told Cosgrove Leisure, which owns Central Beach Holiday Park, to remove the barrier.

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "We have asked them to take it down and are writing to them to confirm it. They need a permit to fix anything to the sea wall or work within 16m of sea defences."

Park bosses said the fence was to stop people leaving litter on the private beach, to solve the problems of dog-owners who do not pick up after their pets and to deter parents from burying soiled nappies in the sand.

But concerns were raised that children and animals could be impaled on the railings.

Swale council confirmed today that the holiday camp had been told to take down the railings. A spokesman said the matter was being "pursued on all fronts."

Father-of-two Adam Baker, 39, warned: “A child or dog swimming in the water at high tide could be impaled on these railings which would be hidden under water. They could end up drowned and the company could face manslaughter charges.

“This is utter madness. It’s a cheap lash-up. The company has opened up a can of worms.”

Retired driver Stephen Brooker, 62, who has a caravan on the neighbouring Little Groves site, said: “I can’t believe they are doing this. Swimmers could get trapped on the fence and drown.”

Patricia Wooll said: “It has spoiled the view along the coast, not to mention the effects it will have on wildlife.”

Angry residents packed Leysdown village hall on Thursday to complain to the parish council. Chairman Pat Sandle said: “It was a lively meeting.”

Former Swale mayor Cllr Lesley Ingham was present and said Swale council, which looks after the Island’s beaches on behalf of the Crown Estate, had been holding emergency talks following an avalanche of complaints.

A council spokesman said: “We are one of several agencies such as Kent County Council, the Environment Agency and the Crown Estate who are working with the land owner regarding a number of issues raised by the fencing off of this stretch of beach.

“Given the number of agencies and issues involved, this may take some time to resolve. But we are doing what we can to make sure local people’s concerns are being considered.”

Cosgrove Leisure’s operations manager Andy Johnstone did not reply to calls for a comment this week.

But he previously said: “We are staying within all legal requirements and have been working closely with the local authority. We are not in the game of breaking any rules.

“There is a public right of way along the top of the beach and we have not touched that.”

The company, which also owns Sheerness Holiday Park, took over the 17-acre site from Maureen Wharton last summer. It says it is investing £500,000 to improve tourist facilities on the Island.

According to a post on Facebook, the directors have apologised for upsetting residents.