Sheila Reed writes: I am a resident of Freshwater and together with many others take daily walks through Golden Hill Fort Park.

What on earth is going on?  Our lovely walks are being totally ruined by someone with a tractor taking away many of our lovely trees and bushes,not just the width of a path but the width for a roadway.

I understand a new developer has stepped in to finish the new properties in the Fort there is already a roadway through the industrial estate past RVN Building Supplies.

This Land was given to the people of Freshwater by the Army years and years ago, WHAT GIVES THEM THE RIGHTS to take away our walks.

Has the Council taken it upon themselves to sell off this Land??  I also intend to contact Mr Andrew Turner M.P.to put  him in the picture about this total desolation.

I am writing this not just for myself but for all the residents of Freshwater.

Island Pulse provides some background information:

The Grade I listed building, Golden Hill Fort is one of the Forts which later became known as “Palmerston’s Follies” is being transformed into posh new homes costing between £500,000 and £1.2 million, by property developer Kevin Clarke.

The fort having never fired a shot in anger, has been used as a barracks, the Western District School of Gunnery, an army depot, an industrial estate and finally, until driven out by degradation and damp, a museum and tearooms.

The West Wight Landscape Partnership this year secured £1.7m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, to develop heritage walks for Islanders and boost tourism on the Island with the introduction of new paths and trails, information points and cultural exhibitions.

Among the projects to receive funding is ‘The Golden Circuit’ a flagship multi-use trail for walkers, cyclists, equestrians and mobility users linking important historical, environmental and cultural sites in the West Wight.

Starting and finishing in Yarmouth, the ‘The Golden Circuit’ will link up existing footpaths and trails around the western tip of the Island to create a 9.3km long circuit taking users through some of the finest landscapes in the West Wight with breathtaking Solent views.

The scheme also includes a grant fund of £300k which landowners can access to improve the landscape character and encouragement of biodiversity.

Sue Poston, chairman of the WWLP, said recently:

“We are thrilled to get the grant and are looking forward to using it to raise the profile of the West Wight, both in terms of tourism and economic development.”

As a Grade I listed building, everything has to be reconstructed in keeping with the original. Homes at Golden Hill Fort will shortly be available through Marvins estate agents (01983 752547)