by Lorraine Gibson.
Do you have fond memories of being able to walk along Mill Lane and the slipway to sit on a bench – or on the big stones – and admire the river?
Or having easy access to the High Street from there? Perhaps you recall it being a pathway for drays hauling goods to and from Ellis’ Brewery?
Residents are sending out a clarion call for action from locals who do, since they’ve been advised that in order to restore this access – which has been in dispute for many years – they must prove that it ever existed.
They’re adamant that the area close to Jessop House and its immediate surroundings, was once easily accessible, unlike today where it’s blocked off by bollards, plants and even gates.
Now they’re urging readers to send anecdotes and – even better – photos to the council as evidence that people once used the location freely.
One said: “Historic maps and records inspected by Dorset (County) Council show that the public has used the route along Mill Lane up to Millbank House since as far back as 1613.”
He adds: “The Finance Act 1910 records provided further evidence. Documents from 1916 also refer to the ‘public drinking place’, accessed by the slipway in Mill Lane next to Jessop House.
And continues: “If a public route is proved to have existed it doesn’t matter how many signs, gates or bollards are put up – the public right still exists.”
A homeowner affected by the disagreement says: “We have been advised that the rights of way at Mill Lane and in particular the slipway to the river, which has been cordoned off, will be the subject of consultation in September, then submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.”
The debate is the result of a previous complaint from locals wishing to restore the right of way being objected to by the landowner, who described previous attempts as ‘an utter waste of public money’ a ‘mockery’ and a ‘non-story’.
After a commitment to investigate further, residents received a letter from Dorset Council’s Kerry J Smith – on behalf of Vanessa Perry – on July 20 this year saying that, due to a ‘fundamental error’ in the previous Order, a new and corrected Order needed to be created and re-advertised around September.
And here’s the crucial part: When these notices are posted (residents claim that previously they mysteriously disappeared), there’s only about six weeks in which to respond. So speed is of the essence and, please note, previous resources can be re-submitted, but evidence or objections sent prior to those advertisements appearing will not be taken into account.
“It is a right of way. It used to be open,” says a resident. “I can remember taking my son along there and sitting on a bench admiring the river. Sadly, I never took a photo to prove it!” Perhaps someone did . . .
For more information visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk or call 01305 221559.