Home owners told to close gated access to Uckfield reserve

Uckfield Town Council is determined that home owners should not be allowed to create their own accesses to the Hempstead Meadows Local Nature Reserve.

The copy of a letter sent by assistant town clerk Christine Wheatley to the occupier of one house saying the council required a fence to be reinstated, was considered by councillors on Monday night.

The letter says "continued trespass" on to its land by this unauthorised route must cease but a solicitor representing residents argued in writing against closure.

Having considered both letters members of the council's environment and leisure committee resolved to continue their policy and not allow access from residents' properties on to the nature reserve.

The council letter said: "Althought this area is open to the public this does not mean that the public have unlimited and unrestricted access, particularly as there are official accesses into the area, therefore, as you have created such an access I would be grateful if you would stop using this without delay."

The one received in reply from the solicitor representing "owners of various properties in Spring Meadow" said: "Whilst my clients are very appreciative of being able to enjoy the amenity of the nature reserve on their doorstep they feel they should not be denied the ability to make direct connection with the public footpath which traverses the nature reserve.

"I am sure I do not need to remind the council that ownership of the land was transferred to them by Rydon Homes for use as a nature reserve, public open space and footpaths as part of a planning obligation to build its development of which my client's property forms part.

"There is therefore nothing which would prevent the council allowing my clients direct access from their respective properties to the footpath which is only at the most six feet from their rear boundaries.

"Indeed, it would be within the spirit of the original gift of the land for public enjoyment to the council. It would also mean my clients would be much more likely to use the footpaths for access to the town than if they are denied access."