A DECISION on whether a Hadleigh footpath will be recognised as a right of way will be made in the next fortnight.

The path runs between the disused Crown pub and the library – linking London Road and the High Street.

At an inquiry yesterday, Essex County Council argued it should be kept as an official footpath, but Castle Point Council wants to move it 20 metres away.

The borough council wants to build on the old pub site as part of its £60million Hadleigh regeneration plans and also create an attractive “tree-lined boulevard”.

Inspector Peter Millman presided over the two-day inquiry, with Castle Point Council’s witnesses speaking yesterday.

The dispute began when the path was blocked by hoardings in 2011 while work went ahead to build the new Morrisons supermarket in London Road. Once the supermarket was open, Castle Point Council decided to leave the path closed.

It prompted residents to apply to County Hall for it to be officially recognised as a public right of way.