Security guards say no way to naturist beach
Defence giant QinetiQ has stationed security guards at a nudist beach to turn people away.
It is the latest move in a long-running row over access to the beach which is in front of the Fraser Range site, earmarked for 131 new flats in Portsmouth.
Earlier this month keep out signs appeared. QinetiQ has also ordered Portsmouth City Council to remove all references of the beach being suitable for naturists from its policies.
Mike Houlsby, from Eastney Naturist Group, said: 'I was under the impression that the deal about public access to the beach had been broadly agreed with QinetiQ. Have those negotiations with QinetiQ now failed to the extent they're now turning away the people of Portsmouth from such a popular beach?
'I do wonder just what it is that QinetiQ think they'll achieve by this bully-boy posturing.'
As reported, QinetiQ offered guaranteed public access to the beach if the council signed a deed which would allow them to widen an access road leading to the development site. This would mean the flats scheme could go ahead.
Naturists feared this would mean QinetiQ would use public order laws to prevent them using the beach if people living in the flats complained.
So far QinetiQ and the city council have not been able to finalise any agreement. Now QinetiQ says it has been forced to ban people altogether, and ask the council to change its references to the beach, as the delays means it is considering re-using the land for employment use.
A spokesman said: 'Our offer is with the authority and we are waiting to hear from them so the ball is in their court.'
The council says it has fulfilled its side of the legal bargain.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 26 May 2012
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