A YORK school has been blasted as "devious" and "deceitful" by nearby residents who have objected to its plans to close an historic public right of way.

St Peter's School, in Clifton, has applied to City of York Council to extinguish a busy public footpath which runs through its grounds. The plan aims to increase security and reduce crime by allowing the school to install gates.

Over the past three years, there have been a total of 45 recorded crimes on the school site, including car crime, theft, criminal damage, robbery and assault and the plan has been supported by North Yorkshire Police. The school has previously installed CCTV cameras and anti-vehicle barriers and gates along the path.

The application to close the public right of way - running from Clifton through the school campus to join a footpath linking Westminster Road and North Parade - is now recommended for approval by council officers, who have rejected options to do nothing or to re-route the footpath. The issue will be discussed at a meeting of the executive members for planning and transport advisory panel on Wednesday.

But it has sparked objections from The Ramblers' Association, The British Horse Society, The Cyclists' Touring Club and Harrogate Bridleways Association and attracted 24 letters of objection and a 74-name petition from local residents.

One resident's letter describes the school as "devious" and "deceitful" and another claims the school is employing "scaremongering tactics".

Local ward councilors are also backing residents' objections.

Coun Ken King said the school had been trying to close the right of way since the 1930s. He said: "I'm pretty much disgusted by the officers' recommendations because they have ignored the views of the people of Clifton and people in the city.

"It is an extremely pleasant walk that people have enjoyed for over 100 years. Numerous disabled and elderly people use that path to get away from car fumes. We are trying to get people to walk and keep fit - we should be encouraging people to use the path, not closing it down.

Coun King said closing the path to law-abiding members of the public would have little effect on crime levels.

The meeting takes place at 5pm at the Guildhall.

Updated: 09:13 Saturday, October 02, 2004