Land in Wakefield will not be made public footpath as application thrown out by council

The proposed path is at land of Kingfisher Close and the application was submitted by Crigglestone Parish Council.It was argued that the land had been used as a public footpath for 20 years, which would mean it could be officially recognised as such.

The path commences at its junction with Kingfisher Close and proceeds in a southerly direction for 287 metres to its junction with another footpath.

But the owner of the land argued there had been gates and signs to discourage the public from using it during that period of time.

The owner, named on a Wakefield Council report as Mr Clamp, said: “The only way this can be claimed to be a public footpath is by people ignoring and/or criminally damaging property."

The report states: "There is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the landowner took action to prevent public access by the erection of gates, a notice, and fencing."

Confirming the land will not be dedicated as a public footpath, the report concludes: "There are 17 user evidence statements, the majority of whom admit to there being a gate, fencing and notices all of which negates the intention to dedicate.

"For the reasons set out in the report officers consider that there is sufficient evidence from the landowner and photographic evidence of the gate and fencing effectively demonstrating that the route was obstructed during the period of claimed public use."

The town council's chairman, Coun Peter Daniels, said: "Crigglestone Parish Council were disappointed to learn that their application to have the unregistered footpath, known locally as Kingfisher Close which runs from Kingfisher Close to Durkar Lane over the fields, registered as a public footpath, was rejected at the WMDC Planning and Highways Committee meeting of October 15, 2020."