Castle Fields Gates and Fencing

Land near the castle to the east of New Road has recently changed ownership resulting in significant limitations to access for Berkhamsted residents. Narrow public Rights of Way have been extensively fenced in, dramatically confining pre-existing pathways and denying access to most of the land that had traditionally been used by the community. Its location next to the castle, and the open vistas that the gentle walk up the hill permitted has offered a peaceful and much-loved place to walk, sledge and meet for young and old for decades, if not centuries.

In response, the Castle Fields Interest Group has emerged, now numbering over 100 people on its WhatsApp group, and increasing. It’s an old story, drawing analogies from as far back as the Battle of Berkhamsted Common in 1866, where citizens successfully fought to retain access to open land.

‘The response has been amazing. This is a much loved and special place for many residents,’ said Simon Lewis one of the Group’s members. ‘Now, with new housing developments proposed in Berkhamsted and the pressures from high usage on the Ashridge Estate, cutting off a much-used, accessible open space on the edge of town is just wrong,’ said Olivia Bertham.

The Castle Fields Interest Group is seeking to ensure that covenants and existing planning restrictions controlling what can happen on the land are enforced by Dacorum Borough Council. The Group is also gathering the evidence required to support an application for the pathways that have been used for many years to be established as official public Rights of Way.

For this the Group needs to hear from Berkhamsted residents who have been using the fields for the last 20 years or more. If you have walked those pathways in the 20 years prior to 2024 or would like to be included on the WhatsApp Group, the Group would love to hear from you. Please email to: castlefieldsberko@gmail.com.

Additionally, Herts County Council are seeking your view to help understand if the rights of way are still fit for purpose. You can view the current orders up for public review and you can then tell them if you want to keep, replace or remove them on the consultation page. Comments received from residents are obviously highly valuable in helping to finalise the council’s proposals prior to a formal consultation.

Consultation closing date 31 October 2024.