THE battle to close a public footpath that runs through the grounds of a York school looks set to go all the way to the Government - or be abandoned altogether.

More than 180 objections have been lodged since City of York Council agreed to close the footpath that runs through the grounds of St Peter's School, Clifton.

Now the council will be forced to either abandon its order to close the path - leaving it open to an appeal by the school and accusations of bad practice - or send the matter to the Secretary of State for determination.

The school argued that the footpath, known as York Footpath (Clifton) No 15, was a security risk for pupils, and had been associated with a number of crimes in the past three years, including robbery, criminal damage and assault. At least 30 incidents took place in the vicinity of the footpath, according to police records.

However, during the four-week consultation period following the decision to close the path, 181 letters of objection were received from members of the public, and the Ramblers' Association and the Cyclists' Touring Club also opposed the closure.

The Clifton Path Action Group held a public meeting. A website (www.yorkstories.co.uk/cliftonpath) has also been set up.

Only nine letters in support of the closure were received.

Council officers have recommended that the matter should now be sent to the Government for a final decision.

Members of the east area planning and transport sub committee will discuss the issue on April 14.

Footpath No 15 begins on the south-east side of Clifton Methodist Church and continues in a south-westerly direction through St Peter's School grounds and sports fields, emerging on to York Footpath (Clifton) No 14 at the school swimming baths.

According to a report to councillors, objectors argued that the school had not taken sufficient security measures; that the footpath could not be directly linked to the crimes; and there was no suitable alternative route.

However, officers believed that the school's CCTV, lock replacements and fence repairs and staff patrols of the site - costing a total of £70,000 per year - were sufficient.

Officers have also argued that the footpath is directly linked to the reported crimes - a view supported by local police - and that other alternative routes are available.

The school has offered to settle any successful compensation claims made if the path is closed.

Updated: 10:13 Thursday, April 07, 2005