Sorry, this video asset has been removed.

Video: Campaigners fight to reclaim access to the marshland.

by Adam Williams

A former Big Brother
contestant is among those furious after fences were erected across
village marshland, blocking public access.

Nick Bateman, who has lived in Wickhambreaux for 25 years,
has joined protests against a decision to fence off pasture between
Wickhambreaux and the hamlet of Seaton, which people have been free
to walk across for decades.

Mr Bateman said: “I cannot believe
someone can be so selfish. Not only is this a blemish on the
landscape, but this is also a blemish on the finance and wellbeing
of every villager.

“The fence has not only cut off a
way through the marshland, but it has cut off a way of life.”

Since the land was sold off by
Church Commissioners last year, the new owners have also dug
trenches for new trees, a new footpath has been reinstated parallel
to the barbed wire fence and an access gate has been bolted
shut.

Campaign group Seaton Community Action has been created by villagers in a bid to return the marsh to the public.

Printer Geordie Hayward, 54, of Seaton Road is among the
group's members.

He said: “It’s been used as
common land for decades and when something like this happens, you
can understand that it’s an emotive issue with people who have
lived here for many years.

“They are being denied what they
feel is a perfectly legitimate right to paddle in the river, look
at the nature and enjoy the wildlife on what’s perceived to be
common land.”

The new landowners have told
villagers the fencing is purely for safety reasons and to avoid
legal action from people injuring themselves on the land.

Mark Perkins, a commodities
specialist who lives in Wickhambreaux, is among a consortium of
five who bought the land.

He said: “None of us set out to be
landowners when this process began, but since that’s happened, we
have had to look carefully at our obligations.

“The decision to put up one fence
has been made by the whole consortium, rather than fencing off 15
different areas. I can understand where the emotion is coming from,
but I have had to take advice on liability. In this compensation
culture we live in, we have to make sure we cover all
eventualities.

“I would be happy to speak
face-to-face with anyone about this, but so far nobody has decided
to do that.”