Resignations, vandalism and misinformation: How a woodland walk divided a tiny village

PARISH COUNCIL EMBROILED IN ROW OVER RESIDENTS' PRIVACY

- By JOSEPH CONNOLLY

IT started with a spot of well-intentioned gardening. But it ended with the picturesque village of Upper Saxondale being pulled apart in three directions.

For the past month, a row over maintenance work to a woodland area has divided the small Rushcliffe community - and led to the resignation of a councillor and volunteers.

Residents of four households behind the land took issue with the work, suggesting that, among other things, the cutting down of brambles infringed the privacy of their gardens.

Residents who walked on the land had no idea there was a problem - until the parish council suddenly closed it off, and two paths leading to it, in February.

When 'pathway closed' signposts appeared, people wondered why, and minutes from the parish council's February meeting provide the answer.

It all began early last year with the award of a £10,000 grant to the village from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, for the upkeep of communal land behind homes in Serpentine Close and Queen Mary's Close.

In September, volunteers village residents began working on the site, clearing brambles, cutting down foliage and improving two pathways leading to an open meadow behind the properties.

Rumours of discontent surfaced around December, but it wasn’t until February's parish council meeting that concerns were formally raised.

“Residents experience persistent overlooking and surveillance of private living spaces,’ a document on behalf of the four households said.

“The quiet enjoyment of our homes and gardens has been significantly interfered with.

“The living areas of our homes are exposed to continuous public footfall.”

There were also complaints about the visual impact of new water butts on the paths and the removal of brambles further reducing homeowners’ privacy.