An application has been made to divert the footpath which runs past Smallcombe Farm.

A new ‘permissive path’ has been marked out and recently the National Trust has re-signed its Skyline Walk. However, the application was made in 2009 and is still not likey to be determined any time soon.

Any landowner can apply to move footpaths which cross their land, but it is a time consuming and dificult legal process for them. A fee is payable to the Council for processing the order and it is dealt with in the order of reciept. Currently the Smallcombe path diversion is 7th in line to be dealt with. However, since staff cuts last year, there has been no work on any modification orders by the council recently.

When the modification order comes to be processed an official notice will be put in the newspaper and on the site for six weeks. Local people and walkers are welcome to object to the modification. The diversion must be proved to be in the interests of the landowner and/or the public AND must not have a negative impact on the public’s enjoyment or convenience of the route.

The order is generally determined by the Regulatory (Access) Committee of which Cllr Nicholas Coombes is an occassional member. Any obstruction to the original path before a modification has been approved is unlawful and likely to prejudice the final decision.

Full details are here, but your Liberal Democrat councillors will, of course, keep you up to date.