Letter: I Back the Toil of the Farmer

Published on: 22 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 22 Mar, 2026

View from Hog’s Back path. OVRA

From Angela Richardson

former Conservative MP for Guildford

In response to: This Is Not About Access to a Field

In easier times, the “South Field” footpath, on the Hog’s Back, has been a generous gift from the Loseley Estate to the local people, a permissive path, which has a different legal application than other types of footpaths we are all familiar with.

Usage of it over a period of time does not change it’s ownership or confer any rights. That is clear. The owner is within their rights to close it at any point.

But these are not easy times, especially for farmers. Whilst the campaign is admirable and very politely and reasonably conducted, no one has the right to a view from someone else’s land for their wellbeing. In planning law we don’t even have a right to a view from our own property.

We are blessed with an abundance of reasonably accessible views across Guildford and the Surrey Hills and many wonderful walks we can all take with a little effort. Change from a daily walking routine is hard but not impossible.

Whilst it might not be popular, I back the toil of the tenant farmer with very tight profit margins they operate under to benefit us with what they produce and the rights of the land owner, because I would back any individual’s rights on the land they own too.

Goodwill and relationships are entirely within the gift of the owner. In better times to come, access may change again.

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