Councillors have agreed to the controversial closure of one of England’s National Trails to allow a festival to take place – but said the organisers must apply for permission each year.

The Thames Path is closed each year to allow the upper-crust Henley Festival to take place. Council officers had recommended the arrangement  be made permanent, without further scrutiny by elected members. The decision represents a climb-down in the face of opposition by campaigners.

The decision was made yesterday, Thursday, by Wokingham Council’s executive, which was addressed by the Open Spaces Society’s general secretary Kate Ashbrook. She asked the meeting: “Is it appropriate or legal to bind Wokingham Borough Council to accept the closure of the Thames Path National Trail, a public highway, during Henley Festival for ever more, regardless of changing circumstances which cannot possibly be predicted?”

Councillor Keith Baker, executive member for highways and transport, said he had given the matter further thought and decided the matter should be resubmitted to the council each year.

The victory for the OSS was tempered by the fact that the closure of the path was agreed for this year by the council, despite objections from the society, the Ramblers and Remenham Parish Council.

Ms Ashbrook said: “While we are dismayed that, once again, the council has approved the closure of the internationally important Thames Path during the festival, at least it has not done so for ever more, and we shall fight the battle again next year.”

The closure application will now go to the Secretary of State for Transport Geoff Hoon for his approval.