Homeowner in Brockenhurst urges New Forest NPA to revoke public access right to path near home

BATTLE lines are being drawn in Brockenhurst after a homeowner applied for a public footpath near their home to be closed.

The owner of The Folly at North Weirs has applied to the national park authority for access to the unmade track, running east to west on the home’s south side, to be revoked.

The application has prompted more than 70 objections from locals, with many of them describing the route running from Forest Glade Close to North Weirs as “hugely important”.

In their application, the homeowner said access points to their property come off the unmade track and the previous property owner had allowed for its use by the public.

The applicant said that after living there for seven years, they want to revoke the previous owner’s deed and effectively close the route to the public.

Giving their reasons, they wrote: “Having a right of way access across the land which is extremely close to the property severely intrudes onto the applicant’s privacy and is a security and liability issue.

“Those that do use the access use it as a place to exercise their dogs with a great deal not cleaning it up, they constantly leave dog mess outside the rear gate, outside the front door and where they have pedestrian access into the forest.

“Certain locals also use the land at the Forest Glade Close end for the purpose of dumping their garden waste.”

The application continued by saying the property owner periodically clears the drive at his expense to “ensure users understand it is privately owned”. There are also five bar gates at either end of the drive showing the house name to indicate it is privately owned.

The applicant continued: “Litter is an ongoing problem, including dog bags hanging from bushes. The applicant parks his cars on the drive, which have been damaged by locals using the access. Occasionally motorcyclists use the drive as a cut through from Forest Glade Close to North Weirs.”

Many locals have objected to the request, with one Brockenhurst resident writing to the NPA to say: “This is a well used public footpath which was there long before the 'The Folly' was built. It provides a traffic free access to the village and it is a much used and enjoyed amenity at this end of the village.”

Another objector wrote: “I have lived in Brockenhurst for 37 years. During this time I have regularly used this footpath to access North Weirs…The footpath has been there for many years, before The Folly was built, before the current owners moved in, so I strongly feel it should remain as it is, allowing local people easy access to the open Forest.”

One local added: “I also have a footpath next to my house and would not dream of requesting it is removed. It is for everyone to use and enjoy.”

Signs have already been posted in the area urging locals to go online and object to the proposed closure.

The NPA’s consultation period for the proposal ends on 22nd August.