Article: The council that had to ask gay men before cutting back bushes; Overgrown: The Downs near the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol Peter Abraham: Its offensive.

Byline: Luke Salkeld

MOST visitors to a popular beauty spot would welcome overgrown bushesbeing cut back.

But a council had to tread carefully after being told that to some members ofthe gay community, the dense undergrowth was something to be protected.

Removing it would discriminate against the gay men who use the area for outdoorsex, campaigners claimed.

Visitors to the Downs near Bristol's spectacular Avon Gorge have complainedabout the 'inappropriate sexual activity', which can be punishable by up to sixmonths in prison.

Despite this, the city council was forced to consult gay rights groups abouttheir concerns over its ...

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