You may be aware that the decade long battle over access to woodland footpaths in
the Gelt area has reached it's final stage.
Last year the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom found in favour of Cumbria County Council
- and local people - determining the woodland footpaths were to be reinstated.
Notices to this effect have been posted and published in The Cumberland News
Weekend supplement - p46 - Friday January 22nd 2021.
Although the courts have found against the landowner at every stage, he intends to appeal - taking the final action
involving The Secretary of State and a Public Inquiry.
I am asking that we publicise this detail and that members, and other interested parties, respond to the
formal notice by registering their interest.
At this final stage we need to continue providing evidence to show;
the community is involved,
the community is interested in the footpaths
where relevant - the community have used the footpaths
So confirming - WE haven't lost interest, gone away, NOR died off !!
There is much at stake here, not just in this local instance, but nationally!
I understand many agencies, landowners and developers are awaiting this outcome.
More than ever we realise the benefits as this awful pandemic has highlighted greater need for open spaces
and access to footpaths.
It is CCC's stated objective that footpaths must be kept open, and developed, as Cumbria is a
tourism / leisure county.
Natural England, Cumbria County Council, are fully supportive.
I am unsure as to whether previous local representation / expressions of interest will be included in the
submission to the Sec of State or whether lack of recent engagement will be interpreted as disinterest.
Therefore I earnestly request that we encourage all interested parties to write and declare their support
Townhead community has got this far - we need your help!
With thanks Tony Fenton