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Eastney Beach
Eastney Naturists
Eastney Naturists are to hold a public meeting on the 17th April 2007 at 19:00 to report back on the campaign so far and to discuss the way forward.
All those interested are urged to come along to the meeting and and make their voices heard.
See the Club Events section of the Calendar Page for more details.
5th April 2007
Top
Eastney Beach Promotion Day
The newly-formed BN Eastney Naturist Beach Liaison Group is to hold a Fun Day and BBQ at Eastney Naturist Beach (Portsmouth) on Sunday 30 July.
A Report drawn up by the local Working Party was accepted at an Open Meeting (chaired by myself) on Saturday 13 May. An outline of the Liaison Group structure was approved and a Steering Committee of seven local naturists appointed. Their remit is to continue to develop the activity of the Liaison Group and draw up a simple constitution to put to a future open meeting. The Save Eastney Naturist Beach Campaign will then be wound up.
Naturists using Eastney Beach will be made aware of the work of the Liaison Group and encouraged to support it. Currently, a free membership of the Group is offered, but cash donations for work of the Group are welcomed!
The planning permission to build 3 blocks of flats sought by Qinetiq (now a public company) has still to be finalised. Qinetiq are reluctant to accept a costly responsibility for the coastal defences at that location. Until their lawyers and Portsmouth City Council reach agreement on this issue the planning permission will not be given. It will be at least 2 years before any flats could be built and occupied. In any event public access to use the beach has been secured.
For Sunday 30 July people are encouraged to bring barbecues (and operate them safely) and to fly kites. Eastney has a sloping shingle beach, so team games may prove a little difficult. Clubs will be offered the opportunity to promote themselves during the day.
Mark it in your diary "BBQ and Kite Flying at Eastney Naturist Beach on Sunday 30 July 2006".
Further information can be obtained from the Liaison Group’s own website at http://www.eastneybeach.org.uk/
John Paine, BN Research & Liaison Officer
24th May 2006
Eastney Beach Meeting - Saturday 13th May
The latest news from the Eastney Naturist Beach Liaison Group steering group is that they have now arranged an open meeting on Saturday 13th May. It will be held at 10:00 AM in the Café in Southsea Leisure Park, the caravan site next to the naturist beach.
The early time of this meeting is so that it can be held before the Café busy lunch-time begins. It is also FA Cup Final day.
I understand that the manager there is keen to develop good relations with naturists, as he too has concerns about the proposed housing development. It also means that naturists can then enjoy the afternoon sun on the beach!
The strategy is still to wind up the very successful Save Eastney Naturist Beach Campaign, once a new Eastney Naturist Beach Liaison Group is up and running. Proposals from the Working Party will be presented to the 13th May meeting.
Ian Green, BN Southern Region EC member may also be able to discuss proposals for a BN promotion on Eastney Beach, to be held this summer, led by BN Southern Region. It is the BN Southern Region AGM on Sunday 14th May, so an immediate report on the Saturday meeting can be given then.
If you have access to the internet YOU can be involved in the current work through the Liaison Group's website http://www.eastneybeach.org.uk/ and its forum on http://forum.eastneybeach.org.uk/ . You can also keep in touch with the Eastney situation through updates posted on http://www.bnsr.org.uk/eastney.htm and at the BN website at http://www.british-naturism.org.uk/ .
John Paine
Research & Liaison Officer
Central Council for British Naturism
5th May 2006
Eastney Beach discussions continue
Just a reminder that the meeting previously scheduled to be held at The White House, Eastney, on either 1 or 8 April has been postponed. The strategy is to wind up the very successful Save Eastney Naturist Beach Campaign, once a new Eastney Naturist Beach Liaison Group is up and running.
The latest news from the Liaison Group steering group, which met again on Saturday 25 March, is that they are now working towards presenting proposals to an open meeting on Saturday May 13th. Details of where in Eastney, and at what time, are still to be finalised (this is the FA Cup Final date).
Meanwhile YOU can be involved through their new website http://www.eastneybeach.org.uk/ and forum on http://forum.eastneybeach.org.uk
A progress report was given to the BN national EC meeting on 25 February. They endorsed the concept of setting up a new Eastney Naturist Beach Liaison Group. Discussions are due to take place between the steering group and BN Southern Region, on organising an Eastney Naturist Beach promotion day this summer.
You can keep in touch with the Eastney situation through updates posted on this website, also at http://www.bnsr.org.uk/eastney.htm and http://www.british-naturism.org.uk/
John Paine, BN Research & Liaison Officer
31st March 2006
Beach Campaign Success
Access to the beach is assured, naturists attending a meeting on 4 February 2006 at Eastney, Portsmouth were told. The footpath to the naturist beach is owned by Portsmouth City Council. In addition, under the planning agreement now being finalised, Qinetiq will provide open public access through their site, with a new grassed area leading to a new promenade along the line of the low beach wall. New steps to the beach used by naturists will lead down from this wall.
It was felt that the campaign to date had been successful. Whilst the opposition by naturists, to the building of the 131 flats, failed to get the scheme dropped a lot of publicity had been created. The efforts of the Campaign Group had assured a continued public access to the beach. Naturist use had never been a legal right, but had been tolerated and supported for very many years. A lot of positive local media coverage had been gained during the campaign.
The Council supported naturist use of the beach (without making it an "official naturist beach") and naturists will need to be vigilant to any future threats. It was agreed that the Save Eastney Naturist Beach Campaign could be wound up, once a new Eastney Naturist Beach Liaison Group was up and running.
Thirteen local naturists attended the meeting, which was chaired by John Paine, BN National Research & Liaison Officer, with support from Ian Green, BN Executive Council member for the Southern Region. A steering group of local naturists is now working out details for the Eastney Naturist Beach Liaison Group. They will report back to a meeting to be held at The White House, Eastney, on either Saturday 1st or Saturday 8th April.
John Paine, BN Research & Liaison Officer
11th February 2006
Campaign update and February Meeting
The Campaign had a successful 2005. We are now planning our Campaign action for 2006 and look forward to safeguarding naturist use of the beach this summer. I have asked Portsmouth City Council for an update on the drafting of the Section 106 Agreement, in which Councillors asked that a clause be inserted requiring QinetiQ to provide "continued unrestricted public access to the beach".
Together, we were extremely successful in the Campaign strategy during 2005. I am now arranging for an update meeting of the Save Eastney Naturist Beach Campaign to be held at the White House, a blue pub on the corner of Eastney Road/Goldsmith Avenue, Portsmouth, at 3.00pm on Saturday 4 February. This meeting will be open to all interested people.
At the meeting I will give an update on the planning issues, seek agreement on which local people will spearhead the Campaign with John Randall in 2006, and together we can map out the Campaign strategy leading up to summer 2006 on the beach.
I have also asked Councillor Terry Hall (who is supporting the Campaign with the backing of other Portsmouth City Councillors) if she could attend this Campaign meeting.
Please pass this invitation to attend the Campaign meeting to all interested naturists. Should you require it, the White House is a pub which also serves meals. I look forward to having the opportunity to meet with you there!
John Paine
Research & Liaison Officer
Central Council for British Naturism
13th January 2006
Eastney Beach good news for 2006
The year 2006 is already looking good for continued naturist use of Eastney Beach. Eastney Ward Councillor Terry Hall (the Leisure chief on Portsmouth City Council) is continuing to work for our Campaign objective. Remember, she spoke at the planning meeting on 30 November in support of the naturist beach.
The outcome of the meeting was that "on a split vote" Councillors allowed the Qinetiq scheme (to build 131 flats) to go ahead. They gave conditional approval, but left the bulk of the detail to be agreed by the city's Head of Planning Services, John Slater, through a technical process known as a Section 106 Agreement. This would be a binding legal agreement between Portsmouth City Council and Qinetiq, detailing what has to be done by the applicant (Qinetiq) to fulfil the planning permission requirements.
Councillor Terry Hall, supported by Councillor Mike Hancock, OBE, MP, has asked John Slater to keep Qinetiq to its verbal promise “Qinetiq do not wish to prevent public use" which was made at the planning meeting. The two Councillors have asked that unrestricted public access to the beach (which would include naturists) be included as a legal obligation in the Section 106 Agreement.
I shall arrange the first Campaign meeting of 2006 at The Whitehouse pub on Eastney Road. This is likely to be on Saturday 28 January, or Saturday 4 February. The main purpose will be for Campaign supporters to meet up and plan the next stages of action – leading to continued naturist use at Eastney Beach in the summer of 2006. Please pass on details to any interested people that you know – and keep me posted of any local news affecting the Naturist Beach!
We need local people keeping a look-out for new developments - something that I cannot do (as the BN Research & Liaison Officer) from Oxford! Please keep me informed of anything that I should know (and copy me into e-mails) at . My full contact details are also published in BN magazine.
John Paine
Research & Liason Officer - British Naturism
23rd December 2005
Making progress
You may have already heard that naturism was the theme of the Portsmouth News reporting on 2 December, about the planning decision on the Qinetic application to build 131 "posh" flats at the Fraser site next to Eastney Naturist Beach. A web version is on their website http://www.portsmouthtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=455&ArticleID=1275606 'Rooms with a full frontal view'
Allan Kidney spoke on our behalf at the 30 December afternoon meeting (see separate reports). In the meeting, also attended by about seven naturists, Qinetiq accepted that naturists use that beach. There were more letters of objection to the proposed development from naturists (nearly half of the total) than any other grouping, well done everyone who, like BN, wrote in!
Local Eastney Ward Cllr. Terry Hall (the Leisure chief on Portsmouth City Council) also spoke at the meeting in support of the naturist beach. We look forward to her continued support, and also from Cllr. Mike Hancock, OBE, MP. Local naturists who live in their Wards need to help maintain the interest of these two councillors!
In January, possibly a Saturday towards the end of the month, I shall arrange a meeting at The Whitehouse pub on Eastney Road. This will be to plan the next stages of action, leading to continued naturist use in the summer of 2006. What we need is local people willing to keep a look-out on any developments, something that I cannot do (as the BN Research & Liaison Officer) from Oxford!
If you would like to be involved in either of these two actions please contact me by e-mail at .
Please keep me informed (including the copying-in on e-mails) of any new developments. You can also keep in touch with us through the Campaign website http://www.bnsr.org.uk/eastney.htm
John Paine
R&LO British Naturism
8th December 2005
Portsmouth City Council Development Control Meeting 30 November 2005
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Item 4. APPLICATION BY QINETIQ FRASER FORT CUMBERLAND ROAD EASTNEY FOR:-
REDEVELOPMENT OF SITE WITH 131 RESIDENTIAL UNITS (A TOTAL OF 13,300SQM GROSS EXTERNAL FLOORSPACE) ACCOMMODATED IN THREE NEW BUILD BLOCKS; BLOCK A, PART 7, PART 6 AND PART 5 STOREY (7,400)SQM); BLOCK B, PART 6, {ART 5 AND PART 4 STOREY (3,500SQM); AND BLOCK C, PART 5, PART 4 AND PART 3 STOREY (2,400SQM); TOGETHER WITH CONSTRUCTION OF ASSOCIATED CAR PARKING, PROVISION OF MEANS OF ACCESS (INCLUDING ACCESS ROAD FROM FORT CUMBERLAND ROAD) AND LANDSCAPING WORKS (INCLUDING ESPLANADE)
(This site adjoins the Eastney Beach that naturists use.)
When the Chair of the meeting announced this agenda item, she asked the four people who had given notice they wished to present a deputation to come to the committee table at the section reserved for deputations. The four deputations were Mr Cobb on behalf of the UK Fortifications Club, myself on behalf to CCBN, Matthew Fox on behalf of the Applicants Agent and Cllr Terry Hall the ward councillor.
The case officer Ian Parkinson (Development Control Team Leader) in his opening remarks that the Development Control Committee had visited the site the previous day. In his presentation of the application, he included on the PowerPoint presentation photographs he took the previous day. He advised that the site is Brownfield and as such was available for residential use. During this presentation, he did not mention our use of the adjoining beach.
Following the officers presentation the deputies made their deputations.
Firstly, I presented the deputation against the application due to the likely loss of the use of the beach to naturists. I have attached a copy of my deputation.
Secondly, Mr Cobb presented his deputation, this regarded the survey, in this, he objected to the use of the land for housing and suggested that a Nuclear or Tidal Power station or light to medium industrial uses. He also wanted a very thorough site investigation of the building for record purposes. In the Head of Planning Services Supplementary report, he states that the applicant has agreed as part of the section 106 planning agreement to make a contribution of £2,500 towards the provision of an interpretation panel in relation to the historical use of the site.
Thirdly, Matthew Fox presented his deputation. Regarding the Naturist issues, he said, “The beach is not part of the planning application and we would have no objection to its continued legitimate public use." Regarding the sea defences he said, "They are building new sea defences there because of the danger of flooding. If they build the wall a bit higher is would act as a screen."
Fourthly, Cllr Terry Hall spoke against the scheme for several reasons; she also stated that she had not had any complaints regarding the use of the beach by naturists. She suggested that the continued naturist use should be included within the section 106 agreement.
The councillors then had the opportunity firstly to ask questions about the application and secondly to make comments on the application.
Various points were made, concern were expressed regarding the floor space of the flats being to small, the density of the housing development, the naturist use of the beach, provision of facilities, sea defences.
When the vote was taken the proposal to approve the application as recommended by the officer was carried by 5 votes to 4.
After the meeting I was able to talk to the several beach users who attended the meeting, seven specifically identified themselves to me. The general feeling was that the work on the sea defences might be a way forward if the disable access was also included in the sea defence work.
I also spoke to the press David Maddox who seemed sympathetic to our cause. In fact, earlier this year his paper had done a very supportive article when two reporters went to the beach and joined in with the other beach users.
I also spoke with Cllr Terry Hall, thanking her for her support and I said that I hoped that we (CCBN) would be able to keep in contact as the project continues. Cllr Terry Hall is Executive Member for Culture & Leisure of Portsmouth City Council.
The way forward.
I have concerns about statements made by applicants that are not enforceable in law. (106 planning agreement) We need to keep our local information base active and respond when and if the need arises. The press also wish to be kept in the loop although their motive is more about selling papers when people disagree than fighting our corner.
I would not be surprised if Qinetiq submitted a further planning application now that the principle of residential use has been established on the site.
Allan C Kidney
4 December 2005
Qinetiq Planning Application at Eastney Beach
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I am Allan Kidney and I am representing the Central Council of British Naturism on behalf of our Research and Liaison Officer John Paine who is unable to be here this afternoon.
We must object to the application due to the likely loss of the use of the Eastney beach to naturists.
Naturists have been using Eastney Beach for Leisure and Recreation since the time that the Town and Planning Acts came into force in the late 1940's, and as such, they have been contributing to the local economy.
In these politically correct times, the phrase Clothing Optional is gaining greater acceptance than naturist or nudist especially where being naked is not mandatory.
For its present established clothing optional use this beach, which might not be the most picturesque place, has many advantages, it has good access for the disabled, it is near the local bus route and has public car parking, it is in a location where people do not have a need
to pass through, and it is not significantly overlooked. These points are important, as I understand that some people may feel uncomfortable at seeing others who are relaxing and using the beach without wearing clothes.
To this end, it is appreciated and welcomed that this council has had erected at the start of this beach advisory signs that say, "The Beach beyond this point is used by nudists".
As a direct consequence of the granting of this outline planning permission, I would expect that the present clothing optional users would no longer continue using the beach in their present numbers.
Your officer's report paragraph 54 states that previous owners of the beach have tolerated naturist use and that naturists do not have occupational rights in property law. In order that clothing optional uses can continue in the area I would therefore ask that conditions be required, possible within the proposed section 106 planning agreement, that the applicant either provides appropriate screening at the present beach or alternatively provides funding to this council to enable another suitable beach to be available for clothing optional use.
If the committee are minded to grant this application then I would ask that the Head of Planning Services conclude discussions with the applicant as outlined above. We would obviously be more that willing to work in partnership with this council in these matters if they so wished.
Allan C Kidney
British Naturism
30-32 Wycliffe Road
Northampton
NN1 5JF
Telephone 01604 620361
30th November 2005
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