Battle for the beach hots up
Nudists have accused a defence giant of using 'dirty tactics' to stop them baring all on a beach.
Eastney Naturist Group have hit out at Qinetiq after the company wrote to council leaders saying it had concerns about 'sexual activities' on the beach in front of the Fraser range.
The company says staff working at the site, off Fort Cumberland Road, have found discarded condoms and a Viagra packet.
But the nudist group says Qinetiq is 'mud-slinging' to damage the group's reputation in an ongoing battle over access to the beach.
Campaigner Mike Houlsby said: 'It is appalling that such a big company would reduce themselves to using dirty tactics.
'They are really being quite sly.
'I have not seen any sexual activity and if there were any isolated incidents they are not to do with members of the group.'
The allegations formed part of a letter to Portsmouth City Council leaders offering a deal over a stretch of land near the beach.
As previously reported in The News, the firm needs permission from the city council to widen the land to build an access road leading to a proposed development of 131 homes.
But naturists fear Qinetiq will stop them using the beach if the development goes ahead to keep homeowners happy. Qinetiq has the right to fence off the beach down to the shoreline.
Mr Houlsby added: 'It is quite simple – they do not want us there and they are playing dirty.'
As reported in The News, council leaders have consistently refused permission amid fears the company would not allow the public long-term access to the beach – despite reassurances by Qinetiq that it would.
Now Qinetiq is taking the council to court in an attempt to get the decision overruled.
The company says it is not blaming nudists for the problems and claims the high-profile beach battle may have attracted troublemakers who want to use the private beach for sexual and criminal activities.
The company says it has no battle with the nudists and wants to keep the beach open for the public.
In the letter Stephen Sheridan, commercial director of shared services at Qinetiq, said: 'The biggest danger to the naturists' practice comes from individuals or groups whose actions may spoil others enjoyment of the beach and cause offence.
'We have monitored issues which have caused Qinetiq and some other beach users concern and we urge the naturists to work with us.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
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