WINCHESTER residents have won a battle against a housing developer to have access to a footpath restored.

Fulflood residents contacted Winchester City Council after Drew Smith Ltd finished its development at Chilbolton Avenue blocking a path to Byron Avenue.

The gate was opened with a code lock which had only been given to the new occupants.

But locals hit back claiming the Drew Smith Ltd had breached planning permission and contacted the city council to step in.

Former city councillor Karen Barratt said: “We have been in constant contact with Winchester City Council enforcement officers over recent weeks about the locked gate.

“It's council policy to encourage walking especially for schoolchildren so we're delighted that this path is now open for everyone.

“Planning conditions to increase accessibility are put in to make sure the whole community benefit from what are often unpopular new housing developments Developers can't be allowed to ignore them.”

It is the latest battle to fight gated communities brought about by separate new developments.

Ms Barratt headed a group once before when developers blocked access from Alison Way to Oram’s Arbour.

Similar instances also include the former St Paul’s Hospital site from Oram’s Arbour park and at Peninsula Barracks.

A spokesman for Winchester City Council said: “A legal agreement signed by the developer at the time of issuing the planning permission contains a clause requiring the implementation of a public footpath between Byron Avenue and Chilbolton Avenue prior to the sale of the penultimate dwelling on the site.

“The agreement further requires public access along the footpath to be permitted at all times and for it to be kept free from obstructions. “It was brought to the attention of the City Council's Planning Enforcement team that a gate with security lock had been installed at the Byron Avenue end of the footpath.

“The developer was contacted and it is our understanding that the security lock has now been removed. A further compliance check will be carried out to confirm this.”

Drew Smith has not responded to request for comment.