A PUBLIC inquiry into controversial plans to close a right-of-way through a school has been adjourned for three months after it ran beyond its time limit.

The delay means opponents of the scheme will now have to wait until April to give their views on the scheme to close off the footpath, above right, at St Peter's School - although some individual protesters have already been given the chance to state their case.

The inquiry into the proposed path closure took place last week in York's Guildhall. It was originally scheduled to take four days - but has now been adjourned to a three-day slot in April after time ran out on Friday.

The inquiry has already heard from City of York Council, which wants to see the path closed for crime prevention reasons.

St Peter's School was in the middle of giving its evidence on Friday, and its remaining witnesses will now be heard when the inquiry resumes in the spring.

The two main opponents of the scheme - the Clifton Path Action Group and the Ramblers' Association - have yet to give their cases, although both were given the opportunity to sum up their views on the opening day of the inquiry. Philip Crowe, chairman of the Clifton Path Action Group, said: "We accept the fact that... the inquiry could not be completed within the investigation time scale - this is perfectly normal in inquiry procedures".

Richard Smyth, the headmaster of St Peter's, said: "I'm pleased people are being given the opportunity to present their case.

"I still have evidence to give - there's still evidence to be given on behalf of the school, before the objectors have the right to have their time to present their case".

Andy Falconer, head of St Olave's prep school, which shares St Peter's grounds, said: "We're delighted that everyone has had a chance to review the case in such depth and detail. It's important that everybody feels they have had the opportunity to listen, comment and ask questions."

The school has applied to close the historic right-of-way to deter crime. But many locals have strongly objected, saying closing off the path will mean they lose a valued walking route.

The inquiry will resume at 10am on April 11. It will take place in St Peter's School memorial hall, and is scheduled to last for a further three days.

Updated: 11:21 Tuesday, January 24, 2006