Villagers' fight takes a new form

From the archive, first published Thursday 13th Sep 2001.

A LONG and bitter row between a south coast tool-making company and a village community over access to green land behind an industrial site near Romsey has taken another twist.

Residents in North Baddesley were angered last summer when Draper Tools bought and restricted access to land known locally as Baddesley Common, used for many years by families keen to enjoy the open space and wildlife, including horses and livestock which graze in the area.

Now objection forms are being issued to villagers by local councillors, coupled with an extract from the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 covering rights to roam.

The forms will be sent to Draper Tools to illustrate the strength of feeling on the issue and to persuade them to widen access to the common.

Only one path surrounded by barbed wire and fencing remains open to the public - christened Checkpoint Charlie by locals because of its resemblance to the famous Berlin landmark.

Councillor Steve Cosier, who co-ordinated the objection form handout, said: "It is vitally important that we protect our right to access green spaces. Walking through Baddesley Common is always a pleasing experience and brings back many memories from your childhood, which should not be tarnished needlessly.

"I'm confident that people power will make Draper Tools see sense. If not, we will look at going to a public inquiry."

One local resident Peter Kissane said: "The fencing and barbed wire are a major safety hazard and a child or pet animal could easily cause themselves harm when walking along the path.

"You used to be able to walk along a whole maze of pathways. I think Draper Tools believe that restricting public access will stop people caring about the common and allow them to start expanding their site onto it. They couldn't have judged this community more wrongly."

A spokesman for Draper Tools said the path through the common was well maintained and had the approval of the local parish council.

He said: "There is a right of way across the common but there are no further plans to extend access. We are not stopping people from using the path, so we do not understand what the problem is."

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