ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS AND GOODWOOD ESTATE OPEN NEW PERMISSIVE FOOTPATH

• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and neighbouring #Goodwood Estate open new permissive path between two historic villages close to the Home of Rolls-Royce
• Links two existing public rights of way to improve social connectivity between Halnaker and Lavant
• Path is bordered by 65,000 trees providing valuable wildlife habitat
• Accessible to pedestrians and users with restricted mobility

“As part of our longstanding and recently extended environmental partnership with the #Goodwood Estate, we’ve been delighted to support the creation of this brand-new permissive path. By linking two existing public rights of way, it is now quicker, easier and safer for people to walk between Halnaker and Lavant, boosting social connectivity and enabling choice for local residents. It’s also rich in native trees, providing great opportunities to encounter and appreciate our wonderful local wildlife. It’s a real community asset that adds to the richness and life of our surrounding landscape.”
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has supported the creation of a new permissive path, as part of its longstanding environmental partnership with the neighbouring Goodwood Estate. The path links two existing public rights of way (PRoW) to provide a new route between Halnaker and Lavant, improving connectivity between the two villages and providing residents with a safer alternative to walking on the roads.

The new path adds to the 46 miles of existing public access on pathways and tracks across the Goodwood Estate. It is officially defined as a ‘permissive path’, which means the landowner – here, The Duke of Richmond – has chosen to allow public access, but without creating a new legal right of way. Such paths are a vital part of the UK’s network of footpaths, bridleways and other cross-country routes, of which West Sussex has more than 2,500 miles (4,000km).

Along the route, users are surrounded by some 65,000 trees, planted as part of a larger scheme supported by Rolls-Royce. This planting scheme follows the boundary of the South Downs National Park and links together the wildlife corridors heading north from Chichester Harbour, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The trees are mainly native broadleaf species including oak, beech, hornbeam, field maple, sweet chestnut, small-leaf lime and wild service. There are also extensive plantings of underlying shrubs, such as hazel, spindle, box, holly and privet. Keen-eyed observers may spot a small number of non-native curiosities, such as zelkova (a species of elm originating in Japan), London plane and disease-resistant European elms.

The tree plantings provide crucial habitat for rare mammals, including bats and dormice, as well as a diverse range of plants, birds and invertebrates. In places, dead wood has been left alongside the path; as it decays, nutrients are returned to the soil, nourishing the trees and supporting new growth.

The path itself is surfaced with grass, and is fully accessible to all users; it takes approximately one hour to walk its full length. It was officially opened by Susan Nel, Rolls-Royce Community Liaison Officer, and Chris Woodgate, Chief Executive Officer of The Goodwood Group.