Inquiry to determine fate of disputed coastal path

The status of a path less than 100 metres (about 325ft) long is set to be the focus of a showdown between villagers and a holiday park as a 10-year dispute comes to a head.

The saga centres on a blocked-off footpath that runs along dunes between Winterton-on-Sea and Hemsby, Norfolk.

It has been closed by a property owner living next to Winterton Valley Holiday Park since 2015, but a public inquiry will now be held to determine if it should be reopened.

The inquiry will be held at Hemsby Village Hall on 17 September, when the Planning Inspectorate will hear the arguments before making a legal judgement.

As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the narrow path at the end of Bush Road in Winterton – known locally as the Long Beach footpath – has been used by residents and holidaymakers as a shortcut between Winterton Valley Estate and the Long Beach Estate for decades.

It is about a 1.25-mile (2km) walk between the two coastal destinations, with both drawing thousands of visitors each year to their sandy beaches.

But it has never been declared a public right of way by Norfolk County Council.

The path was closed after Johanna MacArthur and her husband – who used to own the plot it passes through – realised they were liable for the safety of people using it, and they could be sued if anyone was hurt there.

The couple have since sold the property but the legal dispute continues.

Villagers who want to see the route reopened will present evidence at next month's public inquiry which they say shows its use since the 1930s. They will say it is the only safe walking route between Winterton and Hemsby.

However, James Cole, whose family have been landowners in Winterton since the 1930s and who runs Winterton Valley Holiday Park, wants the path to remain closed.

"After it was closed off in 2015, we noticed a big reduction in the amount of antisocial behaviour we faced. Before that, we experienced lots of problems. It was like a tap turning off," he said.

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