Residents in a leafy village near the home of Shakespeare‘s mother have rallied against plans to “block” a historic footpath, proposed by the chair of their local parish council. Colin Ray, who presides over Wilmcote Parish Council in Warwickshire, a pretty village where William Shakespeare’s mother grew up in the 16th century, was granted a lawful development certificate to build a single-storey side extension, described as a “snug”, to his £800,000 home in January.
He can move forward with the plans despite an outpouring of opposition from villagers, who believe the new outbuilding would block access to a popular walk between the village church and Stratford-upon-Avon canal. The route currently passes through the driveway of Mr Ray’s home, but locals argue that the walkway dates back far beyond the construction of the council chair’s multi-million-pound property. Incensed villagers, including fellow parish councillor Sarah Hession, have written to Stratford District Council warning of the “danger” of waving the “snug” through as a lawful development.
Ms Hession insisted that Wilmcote’s “popularity with visitors and residents, especially walkers from Stratford and [the] surrounding areas” meant it was of vital importance to “maintain our public footpaths”.
“Simply ignoring the extenuation of a public footpath to suit one resident is, in my opinion, morally wrong,” she added.
“The original architect of [this property] was unable to close the footpath or re-route it … and that precedent cannot be relinquished,” another local added. “The right to use this [walkway] should be safeguarded for future generations.”
The Ramblers Association walking charity also expressed its opposition to the plans, with local member Sheila Rose, 82, telling MailOnline: “We just can’t understand why the chairman of the parish council is applying to do something like this.
“Lots of footpaths go through gardens. If you do the right thing and go through in single file, then hopefully you’re not trampling on anything.”
Michelle Oliver, who is the fourth generation of her family to live in Wilmcote, told the council that walkways such as the one potentially blocked by the new development was “an important factor” in the area’s appeal. “I have regularly used the public footpath through this property [while] walking my dogs,” she said. “As well as access to country walks, it also holds many fond memories.”
Villagers, including Philip Mander, also sounded the alarm over the “dangerous precedent” that could be set by the footpath being shut off. Alongside warning against “approving a building which obstructs a public right of way”, he also pointed out that the only other way to access the path was by “passing through three private gardens, including my own”.
Mr Ray previously told the Stratford Herald: “I’m following the proper planning process, and there’s nothing underhand.”
