A CAMPAIGNER is calling for proceeds from the sale of a former park keeper’s lodge in Poole to go towards improving neighbouring open space.

Sue Hockey was one of the many Parkstone residents to oppose council plans to demolish the house near the entrance to Alexandra Park to make way for a £280,000 children’s centre in 2010.

The house, which has been unoccupied since 2008, is now boarded up and being marketed by a local estate agent with a guide price of £225,000.

Sue says that according to the Land Registry, the lodge and its garden falls within the boundary of the Edwardian park, which is designated as public open space.

And she claims that the council’s own Open Spaces Strategy says that in “exceptional” cases where open space is disposed of, the money should be ring fenced for buying more land or improving the remaining assets.

“Maybe they could do some more planting. Some of the children’s play equipment could do with updating and the paths are appalling.

“There are all sorts of things they could spend the money on,” she said.

Council leader Cllr Elaine Atkinson, ward councillor for the area, said: “The Open Spaces Strategy was produced in 2004 and provided a series of recommendations as to the how council might want to develop its policies for the management of its open spaces.

“These recommendations were not adopted in any council policy and remain as good practice guidance as to how we manage the borough’s open spaces.

“As Alexandra Park Lodge is a building rather than open space the recommendations in the Open Spaces Strategy with regard to the use of capital receipts are not applicable.

“However, the money from the sale of Alexandra Park Lodge will be subject to detailed consideration by the council and will be used in the best way to improve the provision of Poole’s public services.”