A footpath crossing land near to the site where millionaire Nicholas van Hoogstraten is building a £30 million palace must be reopened, magistrates ordered yesterday.

The landmark decision at Lewes Magistrates' Court was the first time powers under the new Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 were brought into play to order the unblocking of a public footpath.

Rarebargain Ltd, of High Croft Park Estate, Framfield, which is registered as owning the land over which Framfield Footpath Nine crosses, was fined £4,000.

The company, of which Mr van Hoogstraten was formerly a director, was also ordered to remove barbed wire, locked gates and a refrigeration unit blocking the 140-year-old path by April 17. A barn built across the path must also be removed within six months.

The case was taken to court in January last year by the Ramblers' Association.

Last summer, East Sussex County Council received more than 4,000 letters objecting to its plans to divert the route rather than clear the blockages.

The new law, introduced in February, gives magistrates greater power to order a landowner to maintain the public rights of way.

Magistrates fine those found guilty of obstructing footpaths and also order the obstructions to be removed.

Kate Ashbrook, executive committee member of the Ramblers' Association who brought the case to court, said: "This is an historic decision. It is fantastic that these new powers have already proved so effective at getting rid of such horrendous obstructions once and for all.

"Once the crisis over foot and mouth is abated, the public will once again be able to walk an ancient route that has been selfishly and illegally blocked for over a decade."