Bridleways in Pound Wood

Christmas 1993

“Bridleway” Claims

We have been notified that a local resident on behalf of the British Horse Society, has made seven separate applications for bridleways through Pound Wood to be entered on to the Definitive Map of Rights of Way. If granted, horse riders would have unchallengeable rights to enter the wood at seven entrances and use virtually every path within the wood, at all times.

We believe strongly that this is contrary to all the plans which we have for the sensitive management of Pound Wood for the benefit of its wildlife. We further believe that it would attract large numbers of equestrians from other parts of South Essex. We will therefore be contesting the applications. As we have already announced, we are willing to work with reasonable equestrian interests, to allow a permissive horse ride through Pound Wood.

But, for the protection of this ancient woodland, the safety of other visitors, and the security of the whole area, we must be able to exercise control over who enters, when and on what!

Judging by the conversations we have had with local people and members of the Trust, we think that many of you will also be horrified to hear of the British Horse Society’s proposals. If you feel strongly about this, I urge you to write briefly and unemotionally to:
Mr S Gardner, Right of Way Officer Essex County Council, County Hall Chelmsford CM1 1LF

We have designated a series of paths in the wood as a continuous horse path from the Tile Wood Entrance to Bramble Road. This route has been chosen because, for the most part, it has the hardiest of surfaces, it will have only a local environmental impact and disturb wildlife least, it is a useful route for riders, and it is the one which they have been using most, in the past.

We have marked the route with prominent blue paint marks on trees for the time being. Parts of the ride are likely to be very muddy in wet weather, but they have always been so. The proprietors of Ragwood Stables are co-operating with the Trust on this project and have agreed to create a soft and quite durable surface on the ride by using cleaned stable waste in the form of wood shavings. This surface is experimental at present, but it has been used successfully elsewhere and we are satisfied that the shavings will have no detrimental effect on the woodland ecosystem. At worst, it could blow away in dry conditions. The entry and exit point for their vehicle is from the Tile Wood Entrance.

In all cases the Horse Ride has an almost parallel footpath, so there should be no need for pedestrians to use the ride unless they choose to.

We have listened to many opinions as to where the ride should meet Bramble Road. On balance, we believe that the obvious and traditional entrance at Peter’s Gate should be so designated.

There is a gate design which claims to ensure horses can enter but motor-cycles can’t. However, these structures are quite bulky and can be expensive to install and maintain, and we would prefer not to go to this trouble for the time being. But we will monitor the situation carefully.

The Trust is aware that (where horses are concerned) we cannot please all of the people, all of the time. We just hope most reasonable people, without a vested interest, will see that we are doing our best to reach an acceptable compromise! A permissive ride through the nature reserve will strengthen our hand when dealing with the County Council’s forthcoming deliberations over new Rights of Way.

Spring 1994

Horses, Bridleways and Muddy Paths

Thank you to all of you who wrote to the Essex County Council about the applications to create so many legal bridleways through the wood. We believe all received a full reply explaining the legal position and the Trust has taken advice as to how we should now proceed. However, we are pleased to report that we have since been able to open lines of communication with the British Horse Society and other equestrian associations, as well as with officers of the county council. We hope that you will permit us not to comment further upon these matters at the present time, for we do not wish to anticipate where these conversations will lead us.

One immediate positive outcome will be welcomed by all. The Horse Owners and Riders of South East Essex group have promised to make a proper crossing point for the horseride over Hunford Brook. The work will be done at their expense, with the use of suitable machines and materials, once the wood has dried out sufficiently. We wish to thank Henry Smith of that group for this generous offer.

Autumn 1994

Horses in Pound Wood

Horse riders using Pound Wood have respected our requests and have largely kept to the designated horse-ride. Thank you. However, I regret that negotiations with the British Horse Society and other equestrian interests have been unable to find an acceptable compromise, and the organisation is pressing ahead with claims for legal bridleways through Pound Wood along the following routes:

This will require the opening of all entrances to horse traffic (Tile Wood entrance, South gate, Mac’s gate, Peter’s gate, Waterworks stile, and that between Thatch Farm and 221 Bramble Road).

We do not find this acceptable and are taking the necessary steps to counter the claim, including the appointment of a solicitor to act on our behalf. If you have any experience or knowledge of the wood over the last 20 years, or would like to help our case (even if you don’t know how), please contact Dave Cowan on 0268 792189 or Mac McCarthy on 0702 559479. Further letters to the County Council or other authorities are not necessary at present.

January 1995

Permissive Horseride

We would like to thank Henry Smith and the Horse Owners and Riders of South Essex for constructing, at their own expense, a culvert and bridge over Hunford Brook. In common with other steams in the wood, Hunford Brook rarely has more than a trickle of water but, where they cross well used paths, they create a very muddy and unsightly hazard. The association has also offered help in improving other parts of this ride, and we are grateful for their co-operation.

There is no further news about the claimed bridleways.

Spring 1995

Bridleways

We have been advised by Essex County Council of yet another (the eighth) claim by the British Horse Society for bridleways through Pound Wood. This is currently being considered but there is much evidence to indicate that it will be unsuccessful. Our defence against the claim is being prepared by a solicitor.

We continue to welcome responsible equestrians to Pound Wood to tour the designated path between the Tile Wood entrance and Macs gate on Bramble Rd.

Autumn 1995

Circular Legal Bridleway declared in Pound Wood

Readers of this newsletter will be aware that the British Horse Society is claiming eight Bridleways through Pound Wood. We have prepared a 14,000 word defence against these claims because we have evidence to prove the claims invalid. However, we have never been against horse riders using the paths within the wood which we have designated with blue markers.

The Countryside Commission, who made a timely and very significant grant towards the purchase of Pound Wood in 1993, recently indicated that they would like us to allow our permissive horseride and two other paths to become full legal bridieways. These other paths are “Edwins Path”, parallel with church field (but inside the wood, on our side of the earth bank), and “Holly Path” parallel with Bramble Road (also within the wood, on our side of the earth bank).

There are no good conservation reasons why we should not comply with this request from our benefactors. A formal offer to this effect has therefore been made to the Essex County Council, and accepted by them. They are now duty bound to create an all-weather surfaced bridlepath all along the designated route, and provide suitable furniture at the entrances — Tile Wood Entrance, Southgate and Macs Gate.

This action does not in any way diminish the strength of our case against the other claimed routes, in fact the contrary is likely to be the case.

January 1996

Bridleways

We have been advised by the Essex County Council that in the early part of 1996 Council members will decide on the applications made on behalf of the British Horse Society. There is an appeals procedure thereafter which will probably take many more months.

In the meantime, the Council are hoping to gather enough hardcore to start making up the declared bridleway in the spring.

May 1996

Bridleway Claims in Pound Wood Fail

The Essex County Council have refused the multiplicity of applications made by the British Horse Society for bridleways through our nature reserve because “ … the ways are not of such a character that user thereof at Common Law could lead to an inference of dedication as highways and because, if this not be so, the evidence supplied is insufficient to prove or reasonably allege that the ways are bridleways and not all of them are defined on the ground or alternatively accurately plotted.”

It would be inappropriate for us to comment on this decision as the BHS have the right to appeal. However, we have been informed by “Ways Through Essex” that funds are now available to make up the horse paths which we have offered through Pound Wood, and which will thereafter be declared legal bridleways. Work should proceed in May or June. There will inevitably be some noise and disturbance but for the most part access will be through the entrance in St Michael’s Road so residents should not be unduly affected.

Autumn 1996

Pound Wood Bridleway

The British Horse Society has appealed against the decision not to grant them eight new bridleways through the wood. The agreed horse ride is to be created by Henry Smith and paid for by the Essex County Council, but we do not have a starting date.

January 1997

At Last, Our Bridleway!

The Essex County Council contract to make up the horse ride in Pound Wood was completed in mid December by local contractor and horse breeder, Henry Smith. Early reaction is favourable, even from those who don’t ride horses. Phases 2 and 3 should start early in the New Year. Despite this, the British Horse Society are still pursuing their claims for eight bridleways in the wood; their Appeal was nearly an inch thick!

September 1997

Bridleways

Agreements have been signed with Essex County Council for them to complete work on Pound Wood’s bridleway near the edge of Church Field and parallel to Bramble Road. This will create a circular route for equestrians. All surfacing work will commence this autumn.