Plans to close a footpath crossing a former community garden have been sent to the Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs after an objection was received.

The footpath, which has been used as a common area for over 50 years, links Cobden View Road and Northfield Road in Crookes, a Sheffield suburb about 1.5 miles from the city centre. 

It was recognised as a public right of way after an application was granted in 2022.

The order to close the footpath can’t be confirmed without approval from the Secretary of State. 

Council officers believe that, despite the objection, the Council will still be able to achieve the closure of the path on the basis it is necessary to facilitate development.

An objection to the closure of the footpath states: “It is a valuable local asset, both functionally and aesthetically.”

It also claims that the footpath is much safer than the alternative route, which is steep and could be dangerous in wet or icy weather. 

The objection mentions parents prefer using the footpath when walking their children to school as it’s further away from the main road and therefore safer. 

The opposition comes a year after members of the Crookes community lost a petition signed by 673 people to save the adjacent green space from development.

There were over 100 objections to a planning application by Urbana Town and Planning to build six family homes on the green space on Cobden View Road.

But in June 2022, it was approved by Sheffield City Council Planning and Highways Committee.

In the report about the housing development, Sheffield Planning officers state “there would be no objection to the diversion of this as it would not result in people having to travel a significantly greater distance.”

Minesh Parekh, Labour and Cooperative Councillor for Crookes and Crosspool, said: “If we’re looking to address the climate and nature emergencies we need to protect green spaces in urban environments.” 

Having used the footpath on his way to university as a student, Mr. Parekh worries its closure is a ‘foregone conclusion’ when the development next to the path has been approved.

He said: “I do worry that so many of these decisions are already made in Government offices in Whitehall.

“I worry that there’s a lack of powers for local authorities and planning and actual decision making – so much of it is just a formality.”

Despite this fear, Mr Parekh said he is committed to putting forward the views of the Crookes community in maintaining the right of way.