RESIDENTS are divided over the merits of a new path being laid on Holmwood Common, with some claiming it will lead to the "urbanisation" of a tranquil ancient woodland.
Villagers fought a successful campaign to stop the National Trust installing a 7km all-weather path on the common in 2011, arguing the £200,000 project would affect people's enjoyment of the unspoiled woodland.
Lengthy discussions between the National Trust and local groups, including the Friends of Holmwood Common, followed, resulting in a new route being agreed.
Last week, vehicles moved on to the common to begin the process of laying the new hard surface, to the dismay of South Holmwood resident Briony Stefan.
She told the Advertiser: "They've taken down trees and churned up the mud to make this 8ft-wide path. It was all just grass before, with very small bits of tarmac here and there. Now it's like a road.
"It's ancient woodland, a natural environment for wildlife. It's used a lot by people who live in the villages around the common and its biggest appeal is its natural beauty. They're just tarmacking over it, bringing urbanisation to a really rural area.
"This will be disastrous for common users."
Mrs Stefan said other Holmwood residents have also expressed their displeasure via the "Save Holmwood Common" Facebook group, referring to the path as "heartbreaking" and "shocking".
But David Lloyd, secretary of the Friends of Holmwood Common, said he was happy with the new scheme.
"I had reservations in 2011 but I want to emphasise now that the National Trust did respond to our original objections and set up a working group together with representatives from the communities that use the common," he said.
"We feel that a compromise and a sensible solution has been reached.
"Most people that I meet on the common are quite content with what is being done, especially after the wet summer we had last year."
Mrs Stefan said she was concerned the new surface would result in motor vehicle users accessing the common.
"It looks very similar to what they were going to do before," she said. "It was going to go round the perimeter of the common and pretty much that's what's happening now. The Trust say they have changed it but I think it looks the same.
"It's just woodland and it should be left like that. I don't think anyone locally wants it to be developed."
Paul Redsell, the National Trust's countryside manager, responded: "Holmwood Common is very wet underfoot for around five months of the year and the new trail means that local people can enjoy this special place in all weathers."
