A COSTLY application to protect much loved open space in Poole could be ditched, if the land is designated as QEII Fields in Trust.

Parkstone Bay Association members made an application for Baiter and Whitecliff to become a Town or Village Green, which Borough of Poole has decided should go before an independent public inquiry.

The first application, for Branksome Rec, was rejected after going through this process, which could cost taxpayers £68,592.

Parkstone Bay Association secretary Peter Steer said: “In view of this huge cost at a time of austerity our association looked at other means of ensuring that the green open spaces of Baiter and Whitecliff are retained for future generations without the huge costs a public inquiry would involve.”

Now residents are to be asked by their association if they would support the harbourside park, which stretches over 67-acres, becoming Fields in Trust for the Queen’s Jubilee.

The well-used open space was threatened by a scheme to build a Solar Pyramid tourist attraction, finally scrapped in 2008, and residents are keen to preserve the council-owned land for recreation.

“Although not providing the area with the legal cover of a TVG, our association consider that dedication of the area as a Field in Trust would sufficiently protect the green open space,” said Mr Steer.

Cabinet is being asked to approve the environment overview and scrutiny’s unanimous recommendation that Baiter and Whitecliff is put forward for the designation, along with Broadstone Recreation Ground and Plainfield Farm.

By dedicating the land the council will be put under additional obligations and the use to which it can be put is restricted.

“When we first looked for ways to protect our green open space, TVG status was the only possibility open to us but we have identified a new scheme that we feel is of considerable interest,” said chairman Mike Randall.

Mr Steer said: “If we receive approval from residents we have intimated to our council that if the TVG application area is dedicated as a FIT we will withdraw our TVG application – removing the cost implication the proceeding will involve.”

Yesterday, support for the protection of the land from development came from retired couple Michael and Vera Waters from Canford Cliffs, who delight in walking along the shore from Whitecliff to Baiter.

“The housing is very cramped in and behind it’s even more overdeveloped,” said Mrs Waters.

“You need these open spaces to compensate when you have high density.”

Mr Waters said: “It is very important that it is protected. There is too much development. It’s lovely and hopefully it will stay that way.”