Path protesters 'ignore locals'

Now East Sussex County councillor Mike Skinner has accused the Ramblers' Association of ignoring the views of locals in its bid to open up the route.

The footpath runs alongside Mr Hoogstraten's High Cross Estate at Palehouse Common, near Uckfield.

The ramblers claim it has been blocked since 1989 and took the owners, Rarebargain Ltd, to court in January in a bid to open it up.

Mr Hoogstraten, using the pseudonym Nicholas A Von Hessen, was once a director of the company which was fined £1,600 and ordered to open up the path or suggest a diversion.

In June, Mr Hoogstraten proposed a new route which runs across nearby land owned by Hamilton Palace Ltd, which is managed by Mr Hoogstraten using a different pseudonym.

The ramblers rejected the compromise last month and are pressing the council to open up the original path. They urged members to write to the authority.

Coun Skinner said: "We are the victim of national political ambitions which have nothing to do with the footpath.

"There have been three diversions of footpaths in my county division in the last year alone and none received nationwide objections.

"We should not be dictated to by faceless campaigners in London flexing their political muscle. Local and knowledgeable opinion is what should count."

Coun Skinner, who represents the Uckfield ward, added: "The county received 1,300 letters yesterday and another 500 today from people objecting to the proposed diversion. There are coming from all over the country, from Cornwall to Banffshire and Wales to Essex."

Ramblers' spokeswoman Kate Ashbrook said: "Coun Skinner is mistaken in thinking there is no local objection to the proposed diversion. The council has, in fact, received over 200 protests from people in the area.

"It is disingenuous to suggest that people from across Britain should not have a view on this matter."

Mr Hoogstraten recently said: "These ramblers are the scum of the earth."