The Development Control and Regulatory Board of Leicestershire County Council met on Thursday, 9 January 2025, to discuss and decide on an application to divert public footpaths E53 and E54 in Edmondthorpe. The Board resolved to make an order to divert these footpaths as proposed.

Application for Public Path Diversion Order at Edmondthorpe

The Board considered a report concerning an application to divert parts of Public Footpaths E53 and E54 at Edmondthorpe, in the Borough of Melton. The application was made by Mr. A.J.P. Pochin, the owner of Church Farm, Stoneycroft, and neighbouring fields, with the aim of improving security and privacy for the residents of Church Farmhouse and Stoneycroft.

The proposed diversion would reroute Footpath E53 from its current path through the garden of Church Farmhouse and along the Stoneycroft driveway, to a new route across pastureland that exits onto Main Street. Part of Footpath E54 would also be diverted to maintain the integrity of the footpath network, connecting to the new route of E53.

Louise Duffin, a partner at Fisher German LLP, spoke on behalf of the applicant, outlining the benefits of the proposed diversion. These included improved accessibility for footpath users through the removal of a stile and a steep incline, better connectivity to Main Street and Dairy Lane, and increased privacy for the occupiers of Church Farmhouse. The applicant also committed to installing a new kissing gate, waymark posts, and ensuring adequate drainage on the new route.

The Leicestershire Footpath Association (LFA) had raised an objection to the proposal, expressing concern that the diversion would be less convenient for walkers wishing to access the village or for villagers wanting to use the existing footpath network. However, officers noted that recent government guidance encourages local authorities to consider diversions that address difficulties with paths passing through private dwellings and their curtilages. The LFA's proposed alternative route, which would have involved altering a retaining wall, was deemed impractical and potentially unsympathetic to the conservation area.

The Board was informed that the local member, Mr. J.T. Orson CC, supported the officer's recommendation. A member of the Board suggested the addition of an extra waymarker sign at point C on the plan, which officers agreed to consider. Reassurance was given that clear signposting would be in place at both ends of the diverted footpath sections to prevent the public from using the old route.

Decision: The Board resolved to make an Order under Section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 to divert Public Footpaths E53 and E54 at Edmondthorpe as shown on Plan No. 2647/a appended to the report. This decision was made after considering the legal criteria, site inspections, and representations received. The proposed diversion was deemed to satisfy the statutory requirements, with the new route not being substantially less convenient to the public and offering improvements in accessibility.

The meeting also confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 November 2024 and noted that no questions had been received under Standing Order 34 or 35, and no urgent items were raised. No declarations of interest were made by members. The Chairman announced that the next meeting would be held on Thursday, 13 February 2025.