CAMPAIGNERS are gearing up to fight the planned closure of a popular footpath that has been used by dog-walkers and ramblers for more than 250 years. Brook footpath, or footpath Witley 139 as it is known on maps, runs between Haslemere Road and Church Lane. It is also reachable from other popular local footpaths, including the long-distance Greensand Way and the Woodland Trust's Heath Hills. But the owners of Rockwood Estate, which includes Rockwood House which borders part of the path, applied to Surrey County Council last year for a section of Witley 139 to close. Despite opposition from villagers, Witley Parish Council and The Open Spaces Society, in April the county council approved the closure of the path from Haslemere Road to near the entrance of Heath Hill woods. This would mean almost half of the one-km path would be lost. Objections continued after the decision was made, prompting the council to hold a public inquiry into the path closure, which is set for December 5. Waverley's Open Spaces Society spokesman Ralph Holmes said he hoped the inspector would keep the path open because it was much-used and very old, appearing on a 1762 map. He said it was older than Rockwood House, which was built in the latter part of the 19th century, and added it would be "very sad to lose the path now". Mr Holmes added: "The path is an important local asset that should not be lost. We must fight to retain it." Although the path is popular with many in the area, one man who will be especially sad should the path go is Gervase Boote, 62. He and his wife have been using the path for more than 45 years between them. Although his usual route does not always include Witley 139, Mr Boote said he and his wife enjoyed the option of being able to walk the path for a change. He said: "What the loss of this path would mean to us would be the loss of a very pleasant public footpath. "It is a wooded path with a canopy of trees and it is a very nice additional path to the area. "It only takes 10 minutes to walk so I rarely see many people, but looking at the evidence I would say it's a very well-trodden path." Several residents, including Mr Boote, have complained about the proposed closure and hope to go to the public inquiry - but Surrey County Council's decision to hold it in Guildford has not been popular with everyone. Mr Boote said: "I can get there by car but I can imagine it will be slightly less convenient without transport. But I would hope people can offer others lifts so we can all be there." Mr Holmes added: "I am a little disappointed about the choice of venue, as it is more normal to hold inquiries more locally. "A location such as a nearby village hall is generally much more convenient for local people." Witley Parish Council also objected to the closure of the path, saying in a letter that "the footpath is being changed purely for the convenience of the existing land owner and there is no need for the extinguishment". The public enquiry will be held on December 5 at the south west area office, Grosvenor House, London Square, Cross Lanes, Guildford. It may run for more than one day, but anyone wishing to object needs to be there on the first day.
