Review into long-lost footpath in Thompson launched

Indeed, by some estimates almost 10pc of Thompson residents turned up at its community centre this week, as a dispute which has been simmering in the tiny hamlet for more than a decade entered its latest phase.

The meeting was the latest to be held into a highly contested path that runs through a family garden. 

The legal wrangle centres on a long-lost route through the property of retirees John and Ann Scott. 

Matters came to a head last year when government inspectors ruled this must be designated a public right of way - allowing villagers to walk straight across their lawn. 

However, the Scotts continue to resist the decision and a second inquiry into the case was launched this week. 

Locals turned out to hear evidence at the second inquiry (Image: Eleanor Storey) THE STORY SO FAR

The row started in 2013, when an elderly villager claimed at a parish council meeting that a footpath had once crossed the property.

Norfolk County Council, which holds rights of way records, checked and agreed there should be access through the Scotts' garden on Pockthorpe Lane.

The route begins at the bottom of the Scotts' garden (Image: Eleanor Storey) It said the route joined up with nearby Sparrow Hill which eventually leads to Peddars Way, the popular long-distance footpath which runs from near Thetford to Holme-next-the-Sea. 

The Scotts, who are both retired teachers, disputed this and the argument was escalated when the government's Planning Inspectorate, which adjudicates on planning disputes, got involved and launched an inquiry.

READ MORE: Showdown over controversial development in village postponed

The route is now overgrown (Image: Eleanor Storey) Following a series of delays a hearing was eventually held in 2022 and the inspector on the case, Sue Arnott, ultimately ruled that the route should be designated as a public footpath.

But this was only an interim decision and the Scotts were given another chance to object to the proposed changes. 

The Scotts have resisted the decision made by the Planning Inspectorate (Image: Eleanor Storey) ROW REVISITED

The second inquiry into the footpath was launched at Thompson community centre this week.

Here, Mrs Scott continued to argue that while the route was once used as a footpath, this was removed from official records long ago. 

Representatives for Norfolk County Council say the footpath was not formally removed from their records, even if it is missing from some. 

Speaking at the hearing, Mrs Scott criticised the "misinterpretation and misjudgement" of the authority when reviewing its own documentation. 

Ann Scott outside Thompson community centre (Image: Eleanor Storey) She added: "I'm a retired teacher and grandmother having to fight against the county council and dozens of villagers. It is a complete inequality of arms."

Several locals told the inquiry about their memories of having walked the route, which can be traced back almost 80 years. 

Ian Mitchell, representing the Norfolk Ramblers, was among those to give evidence and said the path was "missed" by local people, who claim they were free to walk through the garden before the Scotts moved into the house and blocked off access more than 20 years ago. 

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Ian Mitchell was among those to speak at the inquiry (Image: Eleanor Storey) Peter Rudling, who grew up in Pockthorpe Lane, added: "I think the footpath should be there for future generations."

WHAT NOW? 

The inquiry is yet to conclude and villagers have been invited to join a virtual second session in the coming months.

However, the Planning Inspectorate has not confirmed a date for this. 

James Scott, son of John and Ann, said: "This has been an extremely long and down out process that is very divisive. 

"It has been incredibly emotive issue for all parties concerned."

This gate blocks access to the route (Image: Eleanor Storey) The Planning Inspectorate initially launched an inquiry in 2020 and was due to organise a hearing in April of that year. However, this was pushed back due to the pandemic.

The saga was expected to conclude in February 2022 but that hearing was immediately adjourned and not reconvened until November, when the interim decision was made. 

Following that ruling, the Scotts maintained that their garden is "strictly private" and discouraged locals from passing through by posting a notice in the local parish magazine.