Action over footpath

Ramblers have complained for years that the path at Hoogstraten's Hamilton Palace estate at Palehouse Common, near Uckfield, was unusable because of the obstructions including a barn and refrigeration unit.

The owner of the land crossed by the public footpath, Rarebargain Ltd, is now in the hands of the Official Receiver who has indicated that he does not wish to proceed with an Order to divert the path.

Said a council spokesman: 'The Official Receiver's decision, which reverses the decision by the landowner, leaves the council to do what it has always said it would do if the Diversion Order did not proceed, namely to pursue the issue of the obstructions on the line of the original path.

'The council has, therefore, started the process which should result in the reinstatement of the existing path which is blocked by a barn, refrigerators, fencing and debris.

'The Diversion Order has been officially revoked and a 28-day notice served on the Official Receiver for the obstructions to be removed.

'This is the necessary statutory procedure the council has to follow which should result in the path being reopened to walkers early in March.'

Cllr Tony Reid, member for environment, said: 'At long last the end of this issue is in sight and we will be pleased to draw a line under this and focus our attention on the wider needs of improving our whole 2,000 mile rights-of-way network.'