Protesters step forward in crusade to save paths
‘IT WILL BE TERRIBLE IF FIELD ROUTES ARE BLOCKED OFF’
RESIDENTS are fighting to stop a new landowner blocking off paths on fields in West Bridgford which they say have been used for decades.
An application to stop people walking across paths in Trent Fields, outside Lady Bay, was submitted by the Derbyshire-based Henry Knibb in January after he inherited the land from his uncle.
Campaigners have decided to submit their own application to Nottinghamshire County Council to prove that the footpaths need to be protected and are calling on people to help them out.
There is a surfaced footpath along the river which the landowner cannot change. Cyclists, who have had an agreement to use it for the past 20 years, will need to apply to make it a bridleway, which horse riders can use too.
Walkers also want to prove paths through the fields which are not protected have been used constantly for the past 20 years to get them officially put on the map.
Samantha Jenkins, 42, a systems engineer of Julian Road, said: “It has been used for well over 50 or 60 years. For me it’s one of the reasons we moved into the area. It will be terrible if someone comes in and blocks it off. I have no problem with him asserting his right to own it but blocking off access does not seem to best way to introduce yourself to the community.”
A few months ago new fences appeared around the field and bushes were put up to stop people reaching some of the paths which are popular with dog walkers. They have already been broken down.
A meeting has been called by Lady Bay Community Association to gather evidence – which could include footage and photos of the path being used – and help people fill out the “complicated” forms. It will take place on July 5 at the Poppy and Pint pub, in Lady Bay, and the association secretary Sue Mallender is keen for people from outside the area who use or used to use the fields to attend. The Trent Boulevard resident and Green Party councillor on Rushcliffe Borough Council said: “We do not want a great big row. He has been pretty quiet recently. We just want to protect paths that people have walked for many decades.
“It is a piece of countryside on our doorstep – a green lung that we can enjoy. I think people have been walking on it since the houses were built 120 years ago.”
She does not believe the land can be developed for housing and it is used for growing grass.
The council says it should only be used for agriculture.
The Post has attempted to contact the Shardlow landowner for comment but was unable to reach him.
In documents given to the council he wrote: “I wish to bring to an end any period during which persons may have indulged as of right in lawful sports and pastimes on the whole or any part of the land.”
Neil Lewis, team manager for countryside access at the council, said they were aware of the campaign. He said it is their responsibility to keep an up-todate map of all the public rights of way and record what kind they are.
He added: “The Definitive Map is a legal document and if a path is shown on the map it is legal proof of its status and position.
“Members of the public, landowners and organisations like the Ramblers’ Association and parish councils can apply asking for what they believe are public rights of way to be officially recognised on the Definitive Map.
“The council follows a statutory process in considering these applications, initially with a report to the authority’s planning and licensing committee, weighing up evidence presented by all sides before either rejecting the application or making a legal order to add the path to the Definitive Map.
“However, even if a decision is made to make an order, if objections remain, a separate public inquiry may be required.”