Real Progress Reported On Hog’s Back Path But Walkers Want Right of Way Established

Published on: 20 Apr, 2026
Updated on: 20 Apr, 2026

A walker with his dog continues to walk along the field-side path despite the field being drilled to the edge of the hedge.

By Martin Giles

A new proposal for a path that would allow walkers to continue to enjoy views over the Surrey Hills from the Hog’s Back has been welcomed by those negotiating with Loseley Estate. But the community representatives are holding out for a public right of way to be established.

Cllr Angela Goodwin

Cllr Angela Goodwin [Lib Dem, Onslow], together with the chairs of the St Catherine’s and Onslow Village Associations, Lorimer Burn and Jo Rew, met with estate owner Alexander More-Molyneaux and estate manager Jim Heroys on Friday (April 17).

Burn described the meeting as a “very constructive”. Views were exchanged after which the estate manager drew a path line on a map which Burn said was “exactly the path that we’ve been endeavouring to regain since early February”.

The suggested path line for a renewed Hog’s Back path allowing views to the south: “exactly the path that we’ve been endeavouring to regain since early February”.

The SCVA chair said: “There was a moment of silence in the room, because we could not believe what we were seeing. This was a dramatic change of tack from the estate.”

Burn believes the change was in response to the preceding discussions which stressed the value of the path, and the inadequacy of previous proposals, as well as a recognition of the desire to seek a complete change in the relationship between the estate and local community.

“We are absolutely delighted by this offer from the Estate,” said Burn but one key area of concern remains. The new proposal is only for a permissive path that could be closed at any time.

Despite continued efforts by the tenant farmer to close access points to the field which walkers say they have walked besides “for decades”, the entrances keep being reopened.

In view of the sudden closure in February and the associated loss of trust, the community representatives are requesting a Section 25 Creation Agreement which would take place between the Estate and Surrey County Council, which Burn believes “can be achieved in only a couple of months, costs very little, but means that this path would subsequently be recorded as a Public Footpath (Right of Way)”. The Estate is to consider the request.

Following the meeting Estate Manager Jim Heroys wrote to the community representatives saying that he felt “we covered some excellent ground” and outlined the points of agreement:

1. Loseley will erect a stock fence 2m from the edge of the top of the field. This will not be barbed along the top, dog-proof so dogs will not have to be on a lead, using similar materials as the recently constructed fence line along bridleway 278 (marked red on the attached plan, note not to scale, for guidance purposes only).
2. There will be 3 entrance/exit points (marked with black arrows on the attached plan).
3. For the time being the path will remain a permissive path until we have taken council on the options discussed.
4. Signage will be erected at all entrance/exit points.
5. We discussed litter amongst other issues, and we would be grateful if those using the path assisted in ensuring the fence is not damaged, nor the path littered including dog poo bags and that any anti-social behaviour is reported to Loseley as soon as practically possible.

Heroys said: “Although no timescale was discussed on the erection of the fence in the meeting it will be dependent on contractors’ availability, but I will make enquiries on Monday [April 20].”

The legality of the way the pictured fieldside hedgerow has been cut back has been questioned.

See also: Campaigners Cautiously Welcome New Path Proposal

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