BRIDPORT residents are fighting a proposed footpath to the Millennium Green – saying it will encourage antisocial behaviour, compromise their privacy and disturb wildlife.

The Millennium Green Trust applied last year to put in a footpath linking Coneygar Park and Hardy Road with the green but withdrew it after a barrage of complaints.

The trust has now done an ecological survey and reapplied for permission.

Wendy Cross, whose husband Ted is acting chairman of the Coneygar Park Residents’ Association, said there were more than 20 householders objecting.

She said the path would mean pulling up a 40-year-old hedge and disturbing badger setts as well as encouraging more bad behaviour.

She said: “The loss of that hedge to those immediately around would be absolutely dreadful.

“I’ve said they ought to walk where the footpath is proposed. It is so steep and there are parts where there is an 80ft drop on one side.

“That is where the youths hang out, swing from trees and drink beer, where they can’t be seen and can’t be apprehended.

“A neighbour went up there about a month ago and she collected three carrier bags full of tins and syringes with needles on.”

Mrs Cross owns Coneygar Lodge residential home and employs 22 staff.

Protestor Ian Hughes, of Hardy Road, said that the junction of Coneygar Road, Lane and Park and Hardy Road was already notoriously dangerous, especially during school term time.

He said: “With no lighting the area will attract ‘an undesirable element’ and increase the risk of crime.”

Chairman of the trust Peter Broomhead said the 18th century perimeter walk created within the pleasure grounds of Downe Hall was still in use and the proposed footpath would link with it.

He said: “The proposed access provides nearby residents and schoolchildren with a convenient entrance and avoids a long walk round to enter the property from the south.

“It provides a way through to the town centre on a country walk which is completely traffic free and the opportunity to link with long and medium distance walks.”

Dorset Police crime prevention officer Mark Harper said to maintain the security of properties along the length of the footpath a 1.8 metre fence or thick hedge should be maintained.

The ecological report says a Defra licence will be needed because the path will disturb badger setts and an ecologist will need to be there to rescue any slow worms found when hedge roots are pulled up.