A petition has been launched to save an ancient public footpath after it was blocked by a six-foot fence. Locals claim the owner of the historic Killiganoon Manor, between Carnon Downs and Feock in Cornwall, blocked the access to Footpath Feock 18 as noted on the Ordnance Survey map.
It means that people are now diverted onto neighbouring land by way of a permissive path, but residents say this does not allow them to access their properties like the official path did. One of those in the Cornish community fighting the move said: "Residents and neighbourhood children are being cruelly separated from one another."
Daniel Lawrence, who lives with his family in Owls Cottage on the estate's grounds, told CornwallLive: "It is time to fight back and reclaim what is rightfully ours. Historically, the public footpath was used by residents on the wider Killiganoon estate. Prior to the blockage with the six-foot fence, the footpath was used by local children to go between their parents' privately-owned properties on the estate.
"It was also used by visitors to the manor and Owls Cottage. My family still use the public footpath to access our property but climbing around the six-foot fence is very difficult or not possible, especially for older visitors.
"We have been told that even before the fence was erected in 2020, ramblers were turned away by staff working at Killiganoon Manor as they attempted to use the definitive path. Our property has access to footpath Feock 18 at the point that it has been blocked and as such our legal access has been blocked because the footpath is blocked."
Mr Lawrence added: "The footpath was blocked prior to us moving into the property but we have evidence from local residents who previously used the blocked footpath that can verify its proper route in accordance with the definitive map route. There may soon be an application to redirect the footpath. Redirecting the footpath would remove an access point for our property."
CornwallLive has seen correspondence between Feock Parish Council and Cornwall Council dating back to 2018 in which questions are raised about the removal of a public footpath sign and the installation of a permissive path sign. The parish council notes that a permissive path is not a public right of way.
The parish council stated that users of the path 'who are not familiar with the route are now confused and impeded in its use'.
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Robert Fraser, Rights of Way Officer for Cornwall Ramblers, said: "The definitive map shows the path going down the lane on the Killiganoon Manor side of the hedge and popping out into a field. The path in the field has been used for many years.
"If shown on the definitive map then it is conclusive evidence unless someone comes up with something different and, as far as I know, no one has. The permissive path is not a public right of way, but a path provided by the landowner. If the owner of Killiganoon Manor doesn't want people walking on the footpath he needs to apply for a public diversion."
A Change.org petition set up by Mr Lawrence's wife Kim states: "Protect our public footpath. Our ancestors used to walk this footpath, it is an insight into history. It should be allowed to be enjoyed now and for generations to come." It has a target of 500 signatures and currently stands at 268.
Comments on the page include: "The countryside is not theirs to ruin and restrict access to", "This is part of our heritage", "Blocking public pathways smacks of privilege" and "This is an inexcusable denial of such an established right of way".
Killiganoon Manor, which lies behind a gate with security access, has long been a historic part of the community. The census of 1871 recorded 100 people living on the estate with 54 children. In the 1960s it became a hotel before returning to a private residence in the 1990s.
CornwallLive has approached the current owner for comment but has not received a response.
A spokesperson for Cornwall Council said the local authority was notified about a potential obstruction in relation to a public footpath at Carnon Downs last month. The council is looking into the matter and officers are due to visit the site this week.
