A COUNCILLOR has called a parish council ‘not fit for purpose’ following controversy surrounding the protection of a public walkway.

For a number of years, a local community has been fighting to maintain public access to the Hele Valley Trail (HVT).

The trail winds its way through 16 acres of beautiful riverside native heritage woodland and well-established broadleaved woodland on the outskirts of the village of Marhamchurch near the North Cornwall coast.

A well-established open space area, it has enjoyed unrestricted permissive access year-round for the last 20 years.

However, after the land was put up for sale, concerns were raised that this access could come to an end.

Following a campaign the trail’s future was secured, however, one local councillor has said that the outcome has been tainted by ‘unpleasant and undermining activities that have been employed throughout the course of the project by some’.

Marhamchurch Parish Councillor, Tom O’Sullivan has detailed some of the issues which took place behind the scenes.

“Given the recent exceptionally warm weather, the cooler area of the trail by the river is especially welcome at the moment,” Cllr O’Sullivan told us.

“At this time of year, it is also a source of great satisfaction to see so many visitors to our area enjoy the peace and tranquillity the site offers.

“In the background however, there is also a sadness given the unpleasant and undermining activities that have been employed throughout the course of the project by some, not least the Lib Dem Cornwall Councillor pursuing a 10/12-year-old personal vendetta.”

The councillor has claimed that there were efforts to undermine the project after one councillor ‘ vocally opposed to the project tried desperately to discredit’ a survey which revealed that 96 per cent of respondents were in favour of Marhamchurch Parish Council (MPC) buying the property.

He continued: “The unavoidable eight-month delay in receiving the outcome of the Community Ownership Fund (COF) grant application caused by the General Election in July 2024 was used to suggest I as Lead Councillor was failing to progress the project. When we eventually received the wonderful news just before Christmas 2024 that our application had succeeded and we were to receive the full £152,000 applied for, neither Cllr. Chopak nor MPC acknowledged the success.”

Despite criticism of the delay, Cllr O’Sullivan has also suggested that ‘unnecessary’ intervention by fellow councillors regarding the ‘exaggerated issue of tree safety’ prevented further progress even more.

“Progressing the purchase was unnecessarily blocked by the exaggerated issue of tree safety,” he continued.

“Ironically at the time I raised the issue of tree safety at the Marhamchurch playpark which was dismissed with what can only be described as contempt.

“In the end, the tree survey at the HVT identified no concerns, while the survey of the playpark identified several trees to be in such a dangerous state; MPC was advised to remove them within one month.

“In spite of this, any risk posed by the trees at the HVT is still being exaggerated while the issue of the trees on the playpark remains to be dealt with.”

Cllr O’Sullivan has also expressed his frustration at a lack of recognition of the project’s success by public figures, including Conwall Council’s leader.

“With the HVT used by so many people across a very wide local area, it is disappointing to note neither of the other two local Cornwall Councillors representing the area have publicly acknowledged the success of the project in spite of the fact one of them lives in Marhamchurch and avails of the amenity it provides on a regular basis,” he said.

“On a recent visit to the area by the Lib Dem Leader of Cornwall Council, while other projects were celebrated, there was apparently no time available to recognise or acknowledge the HVT success.

“It is somewhat ironic that it was only myself along with former North Cornwall MP Dan Rogerson who were present for the launch of Leigh Frost's political career when he first stood for election to Bodmin Town Council in a by-election in October 2016.

“While the current Lib Dem MP for North Cornwall Ben Maguire was initially supportive following his election in July 2024, his support for my part in the project waned considerably thereafter.

“Even though the full asking price for the site plus a small surplus was raised through grants and crowdfunding, there is the disappointment that the undermining activity that went on damaged the fundraising to the tune of at least £5,000. A failed Code of Conduct complaint also had a significantly negative impact.

“In the end the undermining activities have only served to make me more proud of what I achieved which was only made possible by wonderful public support as well as the huge encouragement and support of colleagues at Poundstock Parish Council.

“I can but long for the day when Marhamchurch has the type of credible, independent Parish Council which Poundstock enjoys.”

Cllr O’Sullivan has even suggested that the council is 'no longer fit for purpose’ and has called for councillors to resign.

He said: “In my honest opinion Marhamchurch Parish Council as a corporate body is no longer fit for purpose and individuals need to do the honourable thing and resign their positions without delay.

“Meanwhile I will continue to enjoy the fruits of a job well done.”

Marhamchurch Parish Council have been contacted for comment.