SIGNS appeared in the Nothe Gardens stating that: “The public have permission to enter the gardens and grounds at the Nothe on foot for recreation, however this permission may be withdrawn at any time.”

Readers may recall that, in 2008, on behalf of the residents of the Nothe, Chapelhay, Rodwell and Bincleaves, I submitted an application to Dorset County Council to register the Nothe Gardens as a town green.

This issue is still undecided, with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council objecting to my application and, of course, myself objecting to their objections. We are nearing decision time as to the legalities of my application.

While this issue of whether the gardens can be or cannot be classed as a town green is still in debate, it is a waste of council taxpayers’ money to pay for signs to be made and then installed when, if I am successful, these signs will have to be taken down.

This application for town green status is based on the fact that residents in the locality have had the freedom to roam through the gardens in excess of 20 years without fear or favour.

The council argues that this access is subject to bylaws and is therefore restricted.

In my last letter to the county council I have appealed for common sense to prevail and for them to avoid wasting public money on an expensive legal battle. The council and myself should look at a way forward together rather than in opposition.

It seems we both agree that the Nothe Gardens is an open space. It is how we protect it from development and ensure that the public is not excluded from using the gardens that are the issues.

The Nothe Gardens is not the only gardens likely to be threatened with signs being put up – please keep an eye on your own open space or gardens because if these signs remain up for two years you will indeed lose your right to roam.

Please, please, please, if you are reading this, you are a resident of the Nothe, Chapelhay, Rodwell or Bincleaves and you care about your parks and your right to access the Nothe Gardens, write to the Town Mayor (Council Offices, North Quay, Weymouth).

Send a copy to your councillors Roger Allen and John Birtwhistle (same address) stating your objection to the introduction of these signs, that you have enjoyed the freedom to roam the gardens for recreational purposes without restrictions and you wish these signs to be removed as you consider they contravene your rights established under the common law.

If you have used the gardens for over 20 years you should state that fact. The Nothe will be used during the Olympics for quite interesting things and it would be totally inappropriate for residents in the specified localities to be excluded from the gardens at the most exciting time of their lives.

I want to work with the council to protect the interests of the residents but also to promote Weymouth to the world.

Compromise and conciliation is the name of the national political game and we need to do the same here in Weymouth.

Roger Genge, Weymouth