House-building erodes our bridleways
AN overhaul of the national planning policy framework is putting bridleways under threat as councils are pressured to allow more homes to be built.
Riders across the country are having safe hacking jeopardised as building leads to temporary closures or re-routing.
At Throckley near Newcastle, groundworks for 580 homes have sparked conflict with contractors.
Rider Marina Kent said hacking is now a “nightmare”.
“They have ploughed over our bridlepath. They’ve said they’ll make a new one but it will be through a housing estate,” she said. “Our only way in and out is a road where they put traffic lights, and it’s only a car’s width; if heavy machinery comes down you have nowhere to go.
“It’s a lovely area and you’d never imagine anything like this.”
Gillie Bexson, of landowners Greenwich Hospital, said
Newcastle “needs houses” but the firm has listened to local concerns.
“The bridleway has never been closed; there will be a new one and we’ll be consulting on what surface is preferred,” she said.
“We take health and safety very seriously and have met riders; after a meeting we reviewed traffic handling and switched from lights to a stop/go sign.”
In Wivelsfield, East Sussex, a bridleway has come under threat as a plot has been earmarked for 10 homes. Resident Sarah Roberts said the area has already experienced mass development.
“We’re seeing houses thrust upon rural communities and they are becoming semi-urban. It’s affecting rights of way used to ride or drive,” she said.
Her neighbour Donna Funnell said there had been a dramatic decline in safe local riding.
“When I moved back here, Burgess Hill had grown to an enormous town covering most of the local farmland. My local riding is now limited to one bridleway which starts and finishes on hugely busy roads,” she said.
“My children will never be allowed out on their ponies without me.”
A decision on whether the site will be included in the local plan will be reached this summer.
“Bridleways are county council responsibility and we have been liaising with East and West Sussex County Council; their comments will inform the development of the plan,” said a Lewes District Council spokesman.
Mark Weston, BHS director of access, said with the UK’s “expanding housing and transport infrastructure”, access to safe riding is “frequently under threat”.
“As statutory consultees, we receive and react to all public consultations, orders and notifications we receive. We are not told of every development, but work hard to ensure we are as effective as possible in protecting access and extending it where possible,” he said.
“My children will never be allowed
out on their ponies without me.”
DONNA FUNNELL