Beach wrangle sparks anger over 'gamble'
City council leaders have been accused of gambling with taxpayers' money in trying to protect a nudist beach.
Councillors have refused to allow a piece of land leading to a new development at Eastney from being turned into a road.
This now prevents Qinetiq from building 131 flats overlooking the beach at Fort Cumberland because a planning condition, imposed by the city council, requires it to improve access to the site.
City solicitor Michael Lawther warned the authority it could face a costly legal battle with Qinetiq for acting unreasonably.
Tory leader Councillor Steve Wemyss said: 'I am absolutely appalled that the Liberal Democrat administration has flown in the face of reason and turned down a decision that's already been made that now has the potential to cost the city council millions. They are gambling with taxpayers' cash.'
The council has already racked up legal bills of more than 250,000 over the Eastney development, which overlooks a nudist beach.
However, it is challenging the costs with Qinetiq. Qinetiq, which needs the land to widen the existing road, could now ask the High Court for a judicial review to overturn the latest decision, which could leave the council facing further huge costs.
Tory councillor Luke Stubbs added: 'The meeting was a farce – a true political pantomime – and possibly one without a happy ending.'
But Lib Dem Mike Hancock, in charge of planning, regeneration and economic development, remained defiant, adding: 'We cannot stop the development. All we can do is frustrate the highway works.'
Qinetiq spokeswoman Claire Scotter said: 'At the moment it is a case of our lawyers talking to Portsmouth City Council's lawyers and we will see what comes of that discussion.'
She added: 'We're disappointed, but not surprised, by the decision.
'We have complied with everything they have asked for.
'We also offered to guarantee open public access to the beach as part of the deed, but by taking this decision they have refused that offer as well.'
TIMELINE
Qinetiq submitted plans to build three block of luxury flats at Fort Cumberland, Eastney, almost five years ago.
Council planners resolved to grant outline permission, subject to conditions including access and environmental surveys.
But naturists launched a campaign to stop the development amid fears that it would prevent them using the Qinetiq-owned beach (pictured).
Qinetiq has repeatedly asked the city council for permission to widen the access road to fulfill planning conditions.
But councillors have refused amid concerns over future public access to the beach.
Qinetiq then launched three judicial reviews against the council last year, two of which are still ongoing.
In September the council finally agreed the road could be widened.
Last Friday's decision was to rubber-stamp this agreement, but the cabinet refused.
Qinetiq is carrying out another environmental survey on the site after evidence appeared that a rare bird, the Dartford Warbler, nested there.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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