Don't fence us out

An 11-year battle over the right to walk through accessways to Bucklands Beach has resulted in a victory for one residents' group.
``Hundreds of people will be delighted to see this resolved,'' says Devon Rd resident James Ellis.
The Bucklands Beach clockmaker chairs the Service Lane Accessways Protection Association which has petitioned Manukau City Council to acquire three accessways through the Public Works Act.
The group wants the council to keep the grassy paths between The Parade, Hattaway Ave and Bucklands Beach Rd open for all residents to enjoy and continued access to the beach, and take control of their maintenance.
Because the council had no control of the land, some residents built fences around it, blocking access to others about 11 years ago.
Ellis says disagreements were causing neighbourly relations to deteriorate. He formed his association to resolve the matter in 2003.
``I do feel that when the land is legally owned and maintained by the council, then my grandchildren and other people's grandchildren will benefit,'' says Ellis.
Last week, Pakuranga Community Board agreed. The council must now decide whether to follow the board's recommendation, and notify living descendants of the original owners.
The land formerly belonged to the Buckland family and several others. It was subdivided in the 1920s, when the access strips were made. Officially, the land still belongs to the descendants, although right of way was granted to those who bought adjacent properties, such as Ellis's family. If it upholds the board's decision, the council must advertise for relatives to come forward if they want to claim the land and stop universal access.
Land titles have not altered since 1957. Consultant Steven Schwarz believes the council should have few problems acquiring the accessways.
He believes the land was meant to be vested in the Crown, but somehow it never happened.
Schwarz thinks it will be about a year before matters are settled, which would mean some fences must be removed. If the council chooses not to acquire the land, the protection of historic rights of way will still need to be resolved.
- by Andrea Jutson