‘Majority call for Footpath 75 closure’ says Selston councillor

At a public inquiry held on 24th September, the cases for and against the future of the path were put forward.

Sam Wilson, a parish and district councillor for Selston, said the majority at the public inquiry appeared to be in favour of extinguishing the path.

He said: “There was a lot of support for the closure of the path from local residents at the inquiry.

“There were objections from the Ramblers Association which we were a little bit shocked about because it 70 metres worth of path, goes through two gardens and doesn’t really lead to anywhere.”

The path, also known as footpath 72, runs between Inkerman Street and Inkerman Road and has divided members of the community for many years.

Selston Parish Council and some residents have said that the path, which is recognised by Nottinghamshire County Council, should be closed - but an application to ‘extinguish’ it was met with fierce objections from campaigners who want it to remain open.

In 2007, the Planning Inspectorate ruled that the footpath should remain open because historically, it had linked the isolated communities of Bagthorpe, Hanstubbin and Underwood.

Frank Wood, who referred the matter to the planning inspectorate and has grown up using the path said it should remain open.

Mr Wood (91) said: “If it is decided the footpath should be extinguished I will appeal it.

“I don’t understand how they can extinguish it when it has always been a path. They can’t just close it because the route has changed from people illegally blocking it off.

“When the results of the inquiry come back I will put in a complaint to the ombudsman.”

Selston residents now have a six to eight week wait before the outcome is known.