A COMMUNITY group has fought back and helped save a "historic" footpath in Castle Hedingham from being relocated.
Samantha Stent, 52, of Castle Hedingham, has been a daily user of ‘Footpath 25’ in Scotch Pastures for the last 20 years.
The footpath is part of the village's heritage and part of the historic Magna Carta Way.
The path runs through the middle of a picturesque field within the lands of Rushley Green Farm, and the farm was sold in May 2019.
According to Samantha, the owners are allegedly “unhappy” that the footpath runs through Scotch Pastures and applied for the footpath to be moved to the edge of the field along a much steeper route.
The footpath would have been next to overgrown woodland and overhanging branches which Samantha believes would have made it “very difficult for elderly and disabled walkers.
After the concerned resident started a petition and became part of the Save Scotch Pastures community group, it received more than 500 signatures.
Many residents, along with help from Castle Hedingham Parish Council, lodged formal objections to the footpath being moved to Essex County Council.
Samantha said: “What inspired us to take action was a desire to protect the heritage and history of our village.
“ We want to preserve the childhood memories of many villagers whose families have walked the path for generations.”
As a result of the group’s work, a public inquiry was held from March 5 to March 6 at Gosfield Village Hall.
Many volunteers who use the path presented evidence at the inquiry on behalf of the community group.
Seven volunteers spoke alongside Dr Paul Zollinger-Read, the group’s main spokesman.
The group sought advice from land experts to support their campaign.
After a “fantastic turnout” the group finally received the inspector's verdict at the weekend.
It said relocating the footpath would make it “substantially less convenient to the public” and advised that the diversion order should not be confirmed.
Samantha said: “We were all absolutely delighted that the inspector agreed with us.
“It just goes to show that when a community comes together, they can achieve fantastic results.
“Sadly the landowner still intends to fence in the footpath but we are taking further advice on whether there are any other options open to us, so watch this space.”
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