The Battle for Broxhead Common
The Case for Hampshire County Council – PART 21
- 10th December 1991. The Public Inquiry for the diversion of BW’s 4 & 46 was held.
- Colin Edward Piper, Rights of Way Manager for Hampshire County Council gives a statement.
Colin Piper 1992 PI - There are several minor errors e.g., he gives the wrong address. It should be Headley Wood Farm not Headley Down Farm, and on Paragraph 5 describes HCC as owners of the southern part of the common rather than lessees.
- Paragraph 13 explains why they are not using their powers under Sec.143 of the HA 1980 because they have been devolved to EHDC!
- Paragraph 15 records the proposed bridlepath will have a legal width of 5 metres but then describes how it is not presently maintained.
- Sad to say the promises made in this document for future maintenance have not been kept. Perhaps that is because the statement cites the powers of EHDC rather than the statutory duty for maintenance under the Highways Act 1980!
- Paragraph 24 shows that HCC have set up the narrative that the 80 acres is agricultural land which of course is FALSE.
Next time: The Decision of Planning Inspector Brigadier D. A. Barker-Wyatt.