Decision awaited after inquiry

3:05pm Friday 9th May 2008

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YEARS of wrangling over the legality of a right of way on Pickering's historic Wells Walk are coming to an end after a two-day public inquiry at the Memorial Hall.

Several long-time residents gave evidence to Government planning inspector, Barney Grimshaw, recalling how they used the walk over the years.

The route has been at the centre of a lengthy dispute between residents and its owners, Mr and Mrs Stanley Mooring of Beck Isle Farm, after they partially closed it for public use.

The inquiry was into creating an order for a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) running from Beck Isle north to Old Beck Road and over Pickering Beck to Newbridge.

Mr Grimshaw, who is expected to make a decision in about six to eight weeks, said he would base it on the historic tithe and old maps, together with the evdience he had been given from both sides in the dispute.

Coun Brian Baker, Pickering's deputy mayor-elect, said: "It was a very interesting inquiry which aroused a lot of interest in the town. We now have to await the inspector's decision."