DOG walkers and residents are celebrating after winning a three-year fight to reopen a well-used Basildon footpath.

An independent planning inspector has now upheld Essex County Council’s decision to officially recognise the path, which runs from Club Kingswood to Clayhill Road along the edge of Basildon Golf Course.

The decision marks the end of a campaign led by 40 residents who were furious with Basildon Council for putting up steel fences blocking the path in 2006.

Campaigners said the path had been used for more than 40 years, yet Basildon Council and Jack Barker Ltd, the firm which leases the golf course, disagreed and appealed the county council’s decision.

The appeal has now been rejected.

BIll Rippon, 63, of Hawksway, Basildon, was part of the campaign. He said: “This is great news. It’s taken us three years to get it open, but people will now be able to use it again.

“The golf course has always been a public facility in Basildon, and it was enjoyed by lots of local residents.

“Now we can walk there again.”

The inspector made his decision based on evidence heard at a two-day planning inquiry, held at the Vange Community Centre, in Vange Hill Drive.

In his report, planning inspector Mark Yates said: “I consider there is evidence of consistent and regular public use of the claimed route.

“Therefore I conclude, on the balance of probabilities, a public footpath subsists.”

The path was blocked off as part of £1million plan to redevelop the golf course.

Friends of Basildon Golf Course has been campaigning against the plan, which will see thousands of tons of building waste brought on to the course to reshape it. It believes the waste presents a health risk, yet environmental studies have ruled that theory out.

At present, the steel fences are still in place.

However, Gary Edwards, head of street scene and leisure services at Basildon Council, said they would be pulled down.

He said: “We are aware of the outcome of the appeal and will make arrangements to remove any barriers and make sure the footpath is accessible.

“This demonstrates how the council gives residents the opportunity to challenge decisions.”