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Open Spaces Society Local Correspondent
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Turning a Landowner's downgrading request to public gain.
At Watford Magistrates Court on 26th January a deal was done on Bushey 35.
There had been problems on this path for years. The path, mostly RUPP status,
had had a downgrading request from the landowner to footpath which (wrongly)
stopped County from acting to clear the structures which stopped horses. County
then decided to make an order downgrading and we all faced a stressful inquiry.
I felt we might win but this was far from a high confidence level case. A deal
was suggested (I think by me and Phil Wadey of the BHS) and resulted in this
disputed RUPP becoming a footpath on a slightly different line, thus benefiting
the landowner, but at the same time a brand new five metre wide bridleway was
created some 200 metres away, thus benefiting everyone else.
It was done by stopping-up the whole RUPP to horse and higher rights and then
diverting it as a footpath. The key condition for my support was a signed
dedication of that bridleway coming into effect on the making of the two orders
by the magistrates.
So instead of just one RUPP (or at worst just one footpath) we now have both a
footpath and a bridleway giving a good circular walk.
The old RUPP, now
footpath
The new bridleway
Very importantly this route forms part of the H25, the BHS's London Orbital Bridleway, as well as a vital link in the planned Hertsmere Borough greenway from Bushey to Aldenham Country Park. Also County has saved the cost of a public inquiry. This is an example of BEST VALUE in action. This was the Surveying Authority section (definitive map officer), if only we could work so effectively with the Highway Authority (access officer) section.
Advising a landowner near St Albans as to what would be an acceptable diversion package
He wants to divert away from his house (how unusual). He is prepared to dedicate a new path as well as diverting the old path. He has agreed a four metre width throughout (or very nearly throughout) for this footpath. He is prepared to outlaw stiles. The public benefit is in my judgement significant. The local St Albans Footpath Association and I have liased on this, I have drafted some orders. It now awaits County Hall and their priorities.
Inquiry into paths at the boundary of Ridge and Shenley parishes,
Herts. top of page
This inquiry has now finished. Four and a half days. Even one of the main objectors agreed at the end that there probably was a path on his land. Our correspondent found a map in Bushey Museum, dated 1907, of OSS origin which complemented the c1900 one discovered by the highway authority. It is thought the inspector thought it was the same map as he chided our man for duplicating the authority's evidence. That was put right later. Result expected early February.
Success at Stevenage January
2001 top of
page
Our correspondent doesn't normally get involved so far away from his normal
area, but Laing Homes and Stevenage Borough had proposed a TCPA stopping up of a
bridleway without exploring alternatives with users. Several user groups
objected. Laing were fairly desperate to sort it out by some contract option
expiry date (31st January?) and asked users what they would need to do to get
the objection withdrawn. We said the three metres width offered was not enough
except where that was all that was physically possible. We asked for 5 metres
width and got it. I believe the East Herts Footpath Association got a commitment
for a completely separate cycle route. The British Horse Society asked for
£20,000 to be earmarked for path improvement locally with user group
consultation on its use, they were offered less, held out and got the full
£20,000. On the actual developed site there will still be access (though
tarmac) to the otherwise severed dead-end bridleway at the Lister Hospital site.
So we get:
# a new path to National Target standards,
# cyclists with their own track,
# existing way downgraded in quality but still there,
# £20,000 for local paths.
Working with others to get an obstruction removed from the Hertfordshire Way.
This path Aldenham 31A has taken a ridiculous amount of time and effort. The local Parish Council, the Ramblers, the local path group (BADFA) and the Radlett Society are all agreed that County have let us badly down. I put in four formal complaints in 1999 to County. One was held fully justified, two held partly justified, one rejected. But nothing has changed and the Hertfordshire Way at this point is unusable. Changes in County structure (the Cabinet system) and loss of staff make further progress difficult. I have served a notice on County under the Wildlife and Countryside Act S53 (5) to have the end piece of the route properly on the map but that will take at least a year, despite now having been made a priority by County. Anyway that non-definitive end piece is not the main issue, it is the definitive route that is impassable. We are keeping up the pressure. Health & safety are also at issue and that may give more leverage for action.
Making recommendations for a golf course near Rickmansworth
Another course near Batchworth Heath is proposed and planning consent is sought. I made representations as it clearly affected and old lane and also it is now known how to make paths and golf courses reasonably compatible. Now as at January 2001 this application has been withdrawn.
Agricultural field to be changed to school playing field
This is at Garston, Parmiters School. Last year, in connection with a necessary diversion nearby I persuaded people to extend the length diverted across the school field so as to make the path easier to follow and define it as 4 metres wide, thus achieving the National Target for it.
The new change is at the field at the end of last year's change. The path goes diagonally and pitches would inevitably be put over the path, causing conflict. I worked with the Ramblers and with the School Bursar to propose an additional public path round the edge of the field for the occasions when games are in progress, but leaving the existing path too. Planning consent subject to suitable conditions is proposed, it has been delayed as councillors were concerned about car parking arrangements. Permission now given (late 2000) with warnings about avoiding right of way. Not the most satisfactory outcome but path will certainly be better than the former ploughed field with its regular problems.