A PLAN to make a footpath an official public right of way has been met with warnings that it could do more harm than good.

Buckinghamshire County Council wants to make a definitive map modification order to add a path through Chantry Wood, Chalfont St Peter, as a public footpath.

But Chiltern district councillor Peter Lole (Con, Austenwood, Chalfont St Peter) thinks the idea could backfire.

Cllr Lole, who has regularly walked the path for more than 20 years, says the path and surrounding woodland is already open to the public on an informal basis.

He believes that if the path is legally designated as a public right of way the woodland either side could end up fenced off.

Cllr Lole explained: "This is a nonsense because access to the wood is open. This kind of order should only be brought into play when access is being denied or under threat."

At a meeting of Chiltern District Council's executive committee on Tuesday, fellow councillors said they appreciated the concerns but agreed to support the county council's proposal.

A spokesman for the county council explained it was the policy of the council to legally protect public rights of way.