This was a track that led from Mundesley Road beside the old forge into the fields of which historically there were about 40 though some have gone into the sea. When in the early 1960’s the hedges were grubbed up and the area turned into one big field Hemp Lane was ploughed up.
A few years ago the local representative of the Open Spaces Society applied to the County Council to put it on the County Council definitive map of footpaths and tracks. If that happened the track would need to be reinstated. Quite obviously that would interfere with cultivation of the field but with no compensating benefit as there is no reason why anyone should ever wish to use the track.
The County Council refused the application, mainly on the ground that the track only accessed the fields and did not lead anywhere, in particular it didn’t lead to the cliff top. But on appeal by the Open Spaces Society to the Planning Inspectorate the County Council were ordered to register the track on the definitive map.
The evidence that led to the appeal being allowed appears to be invalid, arising from confusion as to which track Paston residents used to access the beach 50 years ago before the gas terminal came. Accordingly the Parish Council have lodged an objection, and so have two Paston residents. In due course the Planning Inspectorate will review the case.
Siimilar problems have shown up in other Parishes in North Norfolk which have given rise to discussions with our county councillor Ed Maxfield and our MP Duncan Baker. The problem is that in the initial application the County Council is obliged to register a right of way if, broadly speaking, there is any evidence at all, however weak it might be a right of way. Also there is a tsunami of applications at the moment because there is a cut off date 2031 most public rights of way not registered by then cease to be. Duncan Baker is taking this up and is proposing to ask a question in Pariliament
