There was interesting reading to be had over the weekend when one of Britain’s more respected newspapers took on subjects close to the PBO heart.

Saturday’s Daily Telegraph Magazine ran a three-page article under the title ‘Trouble in Paradise’ – but far from being an exotic travel piece, it details the fight for control of Studland Bay in Dorset.

In a multi-corner match between conservationists, residents, yachties and motor-boaters, Studland is the site of huge contention. Government proposals for Marine Conservation Zones, which could change the face not only of this location but many around the coast, are due later this year.

The article, which seems well-researched and well-balanced (highlighted quotes excepted), can be read in full here.

The second article, a short item hidden in the finance pages of the Sunday Telegraph, is headlined ‘Ministers scale back coastguard closure plans‘. Quoting an unnamed Department for Transport source it claims that an announcement this week will reveal 11 coastguard stations are to remain open, all full-time – a marked climbdown on original proposals if true.

However the DfT and MCA would not be drawn on the story, saying that any announcement was not due until parliament recessed for the summer on July 20 and until then no further information would be forthcoming.

See www.telegraph.co.uk.

Photo: Studland Bay, by David Harding