The Battle for Broxhead Common
Broxhead Common showing BW4 & 5 and new entrance to Broxhead Farm
The Case for Hampshire County Council – PART 101
- 1980 minutes of Headley Parish Council show how John Ellis’s well-intentioned efforts with regard to re-establishing the many existing bridleways over Broxhead Common, fell into the black hole of Hampshire County Council. They told him that all matters relating to the review of the definitive footpaths and bridleways was awaiting the passage of a Bill through Parliament which could have a considerable effect on the laws governing Rights of Way and no action could be taken by the County Council until this matter was resolved.
1. 1980 Headley PC John Ellis re paths on Broxhead - One must assume that the Countryside Act 1981 was the Bill referred to but whatever it was seemed to make no difference to Hampshire County Council because it can be seen from the minutes of Headley Parish Council 1982 that they were now formerly proposing to divert BW4 and BW42. In the meantime, HCC had avoided serious consultation via the escape route of a prospective Bill in Parliament.
- 22nd November 1982, the Chairman of Headley and District Bridleways Group, Guy Robinson, writes to HCC’s Principal Rights of Way Officer. He says, “this is an attempt to obtain retrospective consent for the unpermitted diversion of a bridleway which was effected by the fencing of a large area of Broxhead Common.”
3. 1980 HPC minutes proposal from HCC to reroute BW
3. Guy to Bill Bide Principal ROW Officer HCC Nov. 198215072019 - Headley Parish Council decided to put the matter on hold in an effort to pursue transparency, accountability and openness, until their next meeting on 10th January 1983.
4. 1983 Headley PC proposed diversion of BW’s on Broxhead Common - 10th January 1983, at that meeting they decided to write to HCC and say any decision should not be made until the confusing matters had been clarified.
5. 1983 January HPC minutes - 30th June 1983 at Headley Parish Council’s Footpath and Open Spaces Committee meeting, minutes reveal that Hampshire County Council are going ahead with their diversion Order on Mr Whitfield’s behalf but have withdrawn their own proposal to divert the end of BW4.
6. 1983 Headley PC path diversions on Broxhead
Broxhead Common
Next time: 1984!