A POOLE householder who encroached on a nature reserve at the back of his garden by putting in a gate, steps, bridge and seating area has been told to remove them.

The resident of Verity Crescent put up a seating area, and a 'bridge' type structure over a rainwater gully - and a second gate leading directly into the park. They also had an unauthorised access gate from the rear of the property onto Verity Park.

The additions were noticed by neighbour Neil Simmonds, 46, who walks his dog in the park. He accused the resident of stealing the land, adding: "He's not asked for permission - just gone ahead and done it - even put in a gate to stop people coming down there. It's just wrong."

Mr Simmonds alerted the council and his ward councillor Sandra Moore.

She told the Echo that the resident had "actually made a lovely job of it", but added: "Technically that's encroachment and you're not allowed to do that so it had to go - and they've complied with it straight away."

The resident, who asked not to be named, said he had spent hours clearing out the area, including taking out a shopping trolley, bottles, barbecue grills and rubble, to make it more pleasant and to attract wildlife - as well as improving the safety of access for his children. The access gate was there before they moved in.

He added: "I genuinely wanted to try to make it nice - it was a dump out there - literally. The last thing I wanted to do was cause any trouble. It's caused a fuss and I've gladly taken it away."

A spokesman for the Borough of Poole, which owns the land, said: "The residents have been informed that they will be permitted to keep the gate within their own fence if they formally apply for a Gate Licence.

"We have asked that they remove the structure with a seating bench on it, the “bridge” type structure over the rainwater gully and the additional gate within 28 days in order to prevent legal action from being taken.

"The resident has responded to advise that they will remove the items as required and will apply for a gate licence in respect of the gate in their rear fence. Officers will visit again to check this has been carried out."