Urgent action is needed to save the long established footpath through the gardens of Stanmer House before the right is lost forever.

Cherrywood Investments have gained planning permission to fence in the entire gardens around Stanmer House, which would mean no further access to a footpath which has existed in popular use for many years.

At a Local Action Group meeting for Coldean and Stanmer, local Stanmer resident Ann Markwich said she could remember the footpath being in use from as early as 1948.

Stanmer Preservation society, a charity founded in 1971 and committed to improving, protecting and preserving the village of Stanmer and its environment, is fighting to ensure the footpath that runs through the gardens from the Italian Gates near the actual Stanmer House to the woods is kept open permanently for all to have free access.

Although the path has been in use for a long time it does not appear on the definitive map held by the Council which records rights of way.

In order to have the path added to the Council’s map so that it can never be shut again, the society need to show that people have used this path continuously for the last 20 years.

To prove this they need support from people all over Brighton and Sussex who have enjoyed the use of Stanmer Park and free access to the woods, and request people to fill in a public evidence form, stating that you have used the path.

You can download it below from: http://www.stanmer.org.uk/footpath.php

If you need help filling in the form or would like more information call 01273 832255, or contact Jenny Lyon from the Stanmer Preservation Society at jenny@jennylyon.com.

Completed forms should be sent or taken to: 16 Stanmer Village, Stanmer Park, Brighton and Hove, East Sussex BN1 9PZ

You can also get these forms in person from the workshop opposite the tearooms on a Sunday afternoon. With public support this much loved footpath can be preserved for future generations to enjoy.