A HURN man who is registered blind says land used by locals for 40 years has been closed off, and it will force him to navigate a busy main road to walk his animals.

Geoff Curry, 60, a retired baker, said Tarmac were granted permission to quarry on the site and have put up a fence to stop dog walkers on Avon Common, Hurn.

Mr Curry, who lives near their boundary on Pithouse Lane, has been exercising his four dogs and one horse with permission on the land for the last 40 years.

“Tarmac first told me it was for health and safety reasons. I said they were not using it and I would not endanger my animals by going near any work they were doing.

“They said the site is registered as an entire site so whether it is being used or not I have no right of access.

“The week before last they put up a fence. This fence will stop dog walkers, horse riders, but it will not stop vandals. It’s only three foot six high. It’s not going to stop kids going over.”

Mr Curry said the new rule would force him to cross the Avon Causeway to exercise his animals.

Steve Lamb, Tarmac's estates development manager for the south west, said the firm had recently taken control of this site for future mineral extraction and there were no public rights of way across the site.

“We take health and safety of our employees and the local community very seriously.

“A large part of the site is already fenced off and we have erected some additional fencing where we consider access to be most likely.

“The fencing will be completed prior to the site becoming operational. The fences are of a standard height for health and safety requirements.”

Ian Evans of Hurn Parish Council, who is also a Pithouse Lane resident, said the liaison committee existed to try to alleviate any points of friction between the immediate neighbours and the site operator.

But he was told the fence, topped with barbed wire, would have to stay.