Plans to remove undergrowth from gay sex spot branded 'discriminatory'

London, July 8 : A gay rights group is opposing a council's plan to remove undergrowth from a certain area in Bristol, insisting that the move was 'discriminating' to homosexual men who used the area for late night outdoor sex.

Bristol City Council wants to prune bushes and remove cover from an area known as the Downs to improve the landscape and encourage rare wildlife.

However, the Rainbow Group - the council's own lesbian, gay and bisexual action group - objected to the move and said that it was a threat to gay rights.

Work on the beauty spot - a well-known meeting place for men who want sex - was put on hold as officials consulted police and gay campaign group Terrence Higgins Trust to ensure there was no discrimination.

"The general public are unhappy about people taking part in lewd behaviour in public spaces, whether it's between men and women or people of the same sex," the Telegraph quoted Peter Wilkinson, the council's Head of Parks, as saying.

"We are working together with the Terence Higgins Trust to make sure any work we will do is sensitive.

"We're making sure people know what we are doing so we are not seen to be discriminating," he added.

The 20,000 pounds five-year clear-up on The Downs, by the Avon Gorge, was proposed three years ago to improve the scenery and protect rare wildlife.

Work to remove the bushes is set to begin in the next three months.

According to Conservative councillor Peter Abraham, accusations of discrimination against gays and bisexuals were 'offensive'.

He said: "How can it be discriminatory to clear land that might stop what is an illegal practice? 'We need to manage the Downs properly. For a long time we have been told that the scrubland needs to be opened up."

The Rainbow Group refused to comment but said it stood by comments it made when the plan was first proposed.

ANI