A FOOTPATH application in Stockton Heath was voted down by the borough council's traffic committee.
Residents wanted the canal-side walkway from London Road to behind Waterside to be made a public highway.
But the plan was rejected last week.
Six residents had told Warrington Borough Council that they had used the path as a public highway for more than 20 years - the minimum needed to make it a public highway.
Vicar Steve Parish, from St Ann's, told the meeting: "It can be walked the whole length but you have got to fight your way through the nettles."
However, council officers said four residents only used the path to access their homes, rather than to go from one public area to another, so their views did not count.
Clrs Hitesh Patel, Pat Wright and Tony O'Neill voted for a motion to refuse the application.
Clrs Judith Wheeler, Roger Rankin and Colin Oliver voted against and chairman Ted Finnegan used his deciding vote in favour of refusal.
The land is owned by The Spirit Group, while Warrington Borough Council own the land around the London Bridge Public House , and the section by the canal at the back of Waterside is unclaimed.
John Thorpe, public rights of way officer, said it was a matter for the residents if they wanted to extend their gardens back on to it.
He also said another highways application could be made in the future.
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