"Enough is enough."

That was the message from frustrated residents to councillors at Christchurch over continuing issues with Druitt Gardens.

More than 50 residents gathered at the Civic Offices for a meeting of the full council on Tuesday night, with two petitions presented over the protected land in the town centre.

Elliot Marx, a campaigner for Druitt Hall and Druitt Gardens called for the council to "listen to the people of Christchurch" and abide by the covenant put on the gardens by Charlotte Druitt, who bequeathed them to Dorset County Council in 1946.

She said "significant damage" had already been done to the area, intended by the benefactor to be a garden of rest and bird sanctuary for the people of Christchurch.

The felling of four protected trees earlier this month had already breached the covenant, she told the meeting.

In a speech to members before presenting her 184-signature petition, Ms Marx said: "In my honestly held opinion, I believe that views expressed by the leader of the council (Cllr Ray Nottage) in October 2011 were widely known and would appear to have influenced council attitudes to both Druitt Hall and the Gardens."

She detailed a number of incidents but was interrupted by the Mayor, Cllr John Lofts, who told her to finish her speech.

He was shouted down by residents, urging for her to be allowed to continue.

Finishing her speech to applause from the public gallery she said: "Like the signatories of this petition, I want to see the covenants honoured by a council which listens to people."

Another petition was presented by resident Bob McNair, supported by Christchurch Labour Party, calling for the council to instruct developers of the Cornfactor site to move the large hoardings surrounding their compound next to Druitt Gardens.

The area has been sealed off and one access route from Wick Lane car park blocked.

Both petitions will be passed to the community services committee for their consideration.