A CONTROVERSIAL plan to close a public footpath so a Southampton school can enclose part of a city park has been given the green light.

The Planning Inspectorate has approved the scheme by Bitterne Park Primary School to re-route a footpath at the back of the school.

The plans are part of a wider scheme by the school to lease space in Riverside Park.

The footpath diversion had been resisted by residents and the decision was met with disappointment by chairman of the Friends of Riverside Park (FORP), Doug Perry.

He told the Echo that the path has been open to the public since 1901.

Mr Perry said: “My concern is for the disabled people and the elderly that they are putting up 282 extra metres for them to walk.

“The school is not in operation every day, it is pretty awful.

“We were disappointed but there are some you win and some you lose, we had a two-day inquiry. I put my views across and so did they.”

He said when the plan was in the pipeline that there were 200 objections to it.

Despite the decision, Mr Perry said FORP will continue to help maintain the park and work with the school.

Ward councillor for Bitterne Park, Ivan White was pleased about the decision.

Cllr White said: “Hopefully in time everyone will find that the changes are not as bad as they thought.

“I had as many supporters as objectors and in my opinion there was great benefit for the school to have the field and the footpath diversion, it means they can access the field with no problems.”

A statement on the school website said: “We have just received some amazing news.The Greenspace order has been approved.

“This means that our children will have access to safe unfettered play-space for future generations and our community will also be able to use this area as a clean and safe space.

“We would like to thank every member of our school community, from children, staff, parents and members of the general public who have supported our children.

“In particular we thank our governing body and our estates manager.”

“Our estates manager has been heavily involved from start to end of this process as have Governors. Both have been pivotal in supporting us in this substantial piecework.

It added: “The school will be looking to start work as soon as possible, so that our children and community can benefit from a safe play-space as soon as is practical.”