CAMPAIGNERS fighting to protect a neglected community space in Weymouth have forced the issue back on the council agenda.

They have persuaded councillors to examine ways of improving the Marsh playing fields off Knightsdale Road in a move to safeguard it from development.

Following a drawn-out and somewhat confusing debate at the full meeting of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council in which a proposal was debated, and an amendment considered, the issue was referred to the management committee for further talks and for councillors to consider financial implications.

Members of the management committee will be reminded, however, that embarking on any improvement plan will take up valuable resources in a climate when money is short and officer-time stretched.

The council heard first from resident Michael Wheller who presented a petition calling on the council to consult locals before making any decision that may affect the future of the Marsh, and to explore funding to improve facilities.

Mr Wheller was among the campaigners who met South Dorset MP Richard Drax at the Marsh last month for talks on the site’s future.

Addressing councillors, Mr Wheller said there was concern the authority ‘might have development in mind’ at the Marsh as it did not support a move earlier this year to permanently protect it as an open space under the Queen Elizabeth II Field Challenge initiative.

He also reminded councillors that a covenant existed dating from the 1960s, which states the Marsh must be used as public playing fields and cannot be used for any other purpose without permission from official bodies.

The council then agreed to discuss a notice of motion proposed by Labour councillors Andy Blackwood and Kate Wheller calling for a strategic plan to be prepared for the use and improvement of the Marsh including the swimming pool, the Moonfleet bowls centre and sports facilities.

Coun Blackwood said it was an opportunity to recognise the covenant and send out a ‘strong message’ to residents that the authority seeks to protect the future of the site.

He said investigations should begin now into potential options including looking for various ways to finance improvements.

Coun Ian Roebuck warned there were no resources available to embark on a programme of investigation and successfully proposed an amendment to the notice of motion that to embark on a strategic plan for the Marsh would ‘severely compromise the council’s ability to deliver services’.

• AFTER the meeting, Michael Wheller said the council’s discussion of the Marsh was ‘confusing’ as it was decided to discuss the petition at the same time as the notice of motion.

He added: “They agreed to accept our petition, so I really cannot grumble; but I am concerned that they are aiming to kick the maintenance and improvement of facilities at the Marsh into the long grass.

“Councillor Roebuck’s amendment to the motion effectively says the council should do nothing that incurs any cost, but there is a great deal that could still be done.”

Mr Wheller said people concerned about the Marsh should contact the council to say that the new Local Plan should specify that the site is to be protected as green space, and also that the charges for football pitches and other facilities should not be greater than those at Redlands.