Third Attempt At Fencing

How ridiculous! This is completely unacceptable in a conservation area and it certainly restricts the movement of wildlife. The upper path is in the process of being designated a public right of way so the landowner is wasting his time by blocking access. This also demonstrates he is not able to manage such an important riverside woodland. The Council has a statutory duty to protect the environment, so if they invest so much in enforcing building regulations why the lack of standards in this conservation area? You can still enjoy the majority of the woodland so you shouldn't feel put-off going there - this is what the landowner wants. If anything, visitor numbers are increasing as the persistent misuse of planning procedures has encouraged lots of publicity. The lower riverside path has been a public right of way for many years so it is perfectly legal to walk there. If you encounter any problems or see anyone damaging the trees which are protected please contact the Council and Snuff Mills Action Group.

Photo : 2nd March 2009

Protest Walk - Sunday 25th January 2009

About 150 people including local MPs and Councillors enjoyed a peaceful walk through Grove Wood. This was a legal protest against the landowner’s recent attempt to restrict public access to part of the wood. People walked different paths in order to assert their 'right to roam' land which people have done for generations. MP for Kingswood, Roger Berry said "I have been aware of this row for a long time and now it seems we should look for this land to be taken back into public ownership by the city council. This is a woodland area which has been used by local people for a long time and we want it to stay that way" (Evening Post, 25th January 2009). There is the maxim "once a highway, always a highway", whether it is used or not. In the case of Harvey v Truro RDC (1903), Mr Justice Joyce said "Mere disuse of a highway cannot deprive the public of their rights. Where there has once been a highway no length of time during which it may not have been used will preclude the public from resuming the exercise of the right to use it if and when they think proper" (Rights of Way, March 2001).
Photo : 25th January 2009