A PUBLIC footpath was closed to aid the eviction of ecological farmers from a Yorkley farm.

Yorkley village residents had raised concerns over the sudden closure of the footpath which runs along near Yorkley Court Farm last week.

The footpath was closed at the request of the police who asked that no notice be given to assist them during the eviction of the site.

Gloucestershire County Councillor Richard Leppington, UKIP Blakeney and Bream, said: “I have been contacted by a number of residents of Yorkley asking why the footpaths across Yorkley Court Farm were closed with no notice given.

“I asked officers at the Public Rights of Way department at county council to find out what has happened.

“I have been told that a request was made by the police to close the paths while the eviction was undertaken on the Thursday.

“Permission was extended after the site was reoccupied on the Friday.

“The county council were requested that no prior notification of closure be given to assist the police in their operation.

“It was, later, brought to my attention that the footpaths had been blocked over the weekend and I asked an officer from county council to investigate.

“They reported back that the footpaths were now clear for public use.

“I hope that this clarifies the position for concerned residents.”

A spokesman for Yorkley Court Farm Limited said: "A massive clean-up operation is still ongoing to clear Yorkley Court Farm of the enormous amount of debris, contaminated and hazardous waste left by the illegal squatters following their occupation.

"It is expected to take several months to restore the Farm to it’s natural state.

"The public footpaths have been closed temporarily for health and safety reasons."