Letter: The Blocking of a Well-used, Valued Path Is Causing Ill-feeling

Published on: 12 Feb, 2026
Updated on: 12 Feb, 2026

One of the blocked access points to the permissive path on the Loseley Estate.

From Lorimer Burn

chairman of the St Catherine’s Village Association

Action recently taken to block access to a well-used path really concerns me.

I live in Guildown, on the western edge of Guildford. It’s a 15-minute walk into town and a five-minute walk up onto the Hog’s Back behind me.

I write as a local resident of 30 years and also as the chairman of the St Catherine’s Village Association (SCVA). I’m now on my fourth collie and I walk on the Hog’s Back morning and evening every day, as I have done for the last 30 years.

I was perturbed to see the “coppicing” of the hedge at the top of the field on the south side of Green Lane, that runs from The Mount to the top of the Hog’s Back, but I have to agree that the hedge has not been managed for many years.

The “dead hedge” being created.

A “dead hedge” has been constructed out of the foliage, which, it is claimed, will provide a haven for birds, mammals, insects and reptiles. It looks awful at the moment, but once the remains of the hedge have sprouted,  a more normal appearance should return.

What has particularly concerned me is the blocking of all access points to the field so dog walkers can no longer access one of their favourite walks along the top of the field which provides such beautiful views to the south.

This has caused consternation amongst the adjacent communities of Guildown, Wodeland Avenue and Onslow Village.

The path is valued by literally 100s of those who own dogs and walkers without dogs who simply seek exercise on a path that provides views over our beautiful Surrey countryside.

About 15 years ago, the chairman of our SCVA committee and I (then secretary), arranged a meeting with Michael More-Molyneaux in the Green Lane by the NE corner of this south-facing field.

The purpose of this meeting was to explain to Mr More-Molyneaux why this particular walk along the top of the field was so important to us because of its beautiful views and the opportunity to see the sunset.

He saw our point and agreed that we could continue to use this path as a “permissive path”. The Estate subsequently put up notices explaining its status and that permission for use would not lead to a future right of way. So it has been for the last 15 years, or so.

On Wednesday evening (February 11) I had a long phone call with the Loseley Estate Manager, to discuss the current turmoil. My main point was the importance of the Estate maintaining good relations with the local community.He agreed with this.

I told him that I’m the first to recognise that this particular field is private land and it is only due to Mr More-Molyneaux’s goodwill that we have had permission to have access to the field at all. But should that goodwill be withdrawn, it will cause great unhappiness in the local communities.

The manager mentioned “damage” to the field. But I really feel that a 6-foot wide path at the edge of the field is insignificant in relation to its large size.

It has now been arranged that I will meet the estate manager, together with Cllr Angela Goodwin [Lib Dem borough and county councillor], to further discuss this early next week.

Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) I met a group of five elderly women who described having walked into the field they had had to walk much further than intended because they couldn’t get out due to all access points having been blocked with tree trunks and foliage.

One of them muttered that she would no longer be visiting Loseley or buying any of their products again. I fear that this is just a hint of the ill-feeling which will become prevalent if the local community is excluded from accessing a beautiful walk which means so much to so many people.

Editor’s note: The Guildford Dragon has invited comment from Loseley Estate and we expect to publish an article this evening.

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