Council goes down the wrong track
HAMPSHIRE County Council could be forced to pay out tens of thousands of pounds after losing a case in London's Court of Appeal.
Landowners took the council to court for agreeing to open up a rural track to motorised traffic.
The county council maintains its decision to open up the right of way was correct because the Trail Riders Fellowship proved the path used to be a road, so according to law vehicles should still be granted access.
But the landowners in Twyford and Chilcomb, including public school Winchester College, won the landmark court case on a technicality, claiming that according to new laws the TRF did not present the correct documents with its application.
Hampshire County Council will now have to foot the landowners' court costs.
It says it doesn't know what the bill will be but it could be up to £100,000.
The council could face up to five further court appearances as new laws regarding rights of way are tested.
The full article contains 170 words and appears in NS-City newspaper.
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Last Updated:
03 May 2008 9:41 AM
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Source:
NS-City
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Location:
Portsmouth
