Agenda item

Public participation

Norman Beasley, Wiltshire Bridleways Association, spoke in objection to the application.

Graham Bennett, British Horse Society, spoke in support of the application.

Derek Walsh, solicitor to the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Cllr Rob Hislop, Calne Without Parish Council, spoke in support of the application.

The Highways Officer, Sally Madgwick, introduced a report which recommended refusing the application for an Order to divert lengths of public bridleways at the Mill House, Calstone Wellington, Calne.

Key issues highlighted included: the landowner’s interest; the location and convenience of termination points; the convenience of the new path; the effect on public enjoyment of the new path or way as a whole; the effect on the existing right of way; the effect on land served by the existing right of way; the effect on land served by the new right of way; consideration of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan and the needs of agriculture, forestry and conservation of biodiversity.

Members of the Committee then had the opportunity to ask technical questions

of the officer which focused on: the cost of making an Order; the cost of bringing the new route to the required standard; the cost of maintaining the existing right of way and highway safety concerns.

Members of the public then had the opportunity to address the Committee, as

detailed above.

Cllr Alan Hill, Division Member, spoke regarding the application with the main points focusing on: safety and security concerns; the impact on heritage assets; the convenience of the new path; the accessibility of the existing right of way; the use of gates on the new route; local support for the application and the local authority’s obligation to maintain the existing right of way.

The Rights of Way Officer addressed some of the issues raised by the public and local members with the main points focusing on the use of gates on the new route.

At the start of the debate a proposal was moved by Cllr Howard Greenman, seconded by Cllr Gavin Grant to approve the application to divert parts CALW89, 89A and 89B, contrary to the officer recommendation.

During the debate the main points raised were: safety and security concerns; accessibility issues; accessibility to the countryside; the convenience of the new route; the need to consider the existing right of way as if it were in a usable state; the views of the Wiltshire Bridleways Association and the current state of the existing right of way.

Resolved

That, contrary to the officer report, an order (under s.119 Highways Act 1980 and s.53 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) is made and duly advertised.