Anger as path saga grinds on

3:05pm Friday 16th May 2008

THE saga of a blocked Selby area footpath continues to rumble on, without an end in sight.

The path, which both local people and councillors believe is a public right of way, connects the Beech Grove housing estate and Kirkgate, in Sherburn-in-Elmet.

But it was blocked in June 2005, after property company GMS Rawfield Developments bought the site. It has since built 14 luxury flats there and erected a metal gate on the track.

Last year a campaign started to get the footpath reopened, but Selby District Council has still not managed to have the footpath reinstated, although it has applied to the county court for a hearing. The authority is still waiting to hear back from the court.

Sherburn-in-Elmet town councillor Malcolm Dowson said the situation was now farcical.

He said: "I'm more than frustrated. I'm just inundated with people asking me when it's going to be open. I just can't get my head around the fact that restrictions on HGVs in the village can be imposed without consultation or notice but we can't get a footpath open. It beggars belief."

Coun Dowson said he had been telling people to be patient, but he now felt that he has run out of patience himself.

He said: "The properties appear to be stood empty and nobody seems able to track the developer down, although he is often seen on site.

"It has turned into a farce. It should have been resolved at Selby District Council level a year ago."

The Press reported in March how the council had decided to take action by sending a letter to the property developers demanding that action be taken to remove the gate within seven days of the receipt of the letter, and threatening court action if the gate was not removed.

GMS Rawfield did not take action, so last month Selby Council took an injunction out against the company. The council's legal department is now waiting for the county court to set a court date.

The Press tried to contact GMS Rawfield, but was unable to do so. It has previously declined to comment, saying the matter was being dealt with by solicitors.