A COVETED strip of open space on the edge of Christchurch Harbour is to be reclaimed for public use.

Owners Christchurch council have renegotiated consent for a neighbouring home owner to use a swathe of the jealously-guarded Tutton's Well site at Mudeford to provide access to the rear of his property.

The easement attached to a 20-metre long strip of the public open space has been slashed to just the seven-metre section immediately adjoining the property in Stanpit.

Fencing along the remainder of the strip has to be removed by the end of October and the land handed back to Christchurch council.

But local heritage watchdog Reg Stones, founder chairman and president of the Friends of Tutton's Well pressure group formed in the wake of controversy over the rebuilding of the nearby Guide hut, claims town hall officers have reneged on an earlier pledge to end the private use of public land.

He said the Tutton's Well land, claimed to be the site of an historic well fed by a freshwater spring, was given as public open space by 18th century benefactor Sir George Rose.

"This piece of land was given to the people and should remain intact and not be encroached on," said Mr Stones. "We are not against anyone having access to their property but prefer that the public has full access to Tutton's Well without little bits being hived off for private use."

"The council will only be getting a peppercorn rent so there is no value to the public purse but this land has great value to the public."

A council spokesman said the Friends of Tutton's Well had been consulted and raised no objection to the renewal and revision of the agreement which would mean most of the land involved being reallocated as public open space.

First published: October 12