We're in bitter row with neighbour stopping us from using footpath | The Sun
NEIGHBOURS have been on the warpath in an epic 18-year row after a landlord stopped residents from using a footpath.
Ellen Salton, 56, threw up "private property" signs on the path that leads into woodland in Tredomen, South Wales, in 2004.
For decades the path had been used by several local residents to access the bluebell woods – despite it being owned by Ms Salton.
Amongst them was neighbour Susan Smith, 74, who in 2017 applied to Caerphilly County Borough Council for the path to be made a public right of way.
Ms Smith claimed she had used the path as a child and it was the last one left to access the stunning woodland.
She told council officials: "We’re determined we don’t want to lose this footpath as we only have one left."
Read More On The Queen’s Death
World reacts after the Queen’s emotional funeral watched by billions
Meanwhile another neighbour called Diana Tura slammed: "All the people in Tredomen just want to keep what we have, nothing more."
She added it was a place of sanctuary for her and others.
An application for a right of way on the path was first launched in 2005.
But that applicant left the area, so Ms Smith took on the role of chief objector – resubmitting the application in 2017.
Most read in UK News
Teen girl dies after car smashes into tree in quiet village, as 2 men arrested
Sixteen cops & police dog hurt during clashes between protesters in Leicester
Our new estate has been nicknamed 'soggy bottom' by furious neighbours
The 5ft 3in Queen appoints a 7ft 2in giant to be one of her key aides
Then in a win for residents, the local authority declared in 2019 the path was open to the public under Section 53 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
But Ms Salton – who insists there has never been a clear path used by residents – appealed the decision and accused her neighbours of launching a "conspiracy" against her.
Andy Dunlop, representing Ms Salton, blasted the council for not carrying out a "proper investigation" before the path was declared a new public right of way in 2019.
He reckons the path would not have been made public if the matter had been correctly looked into.
A planning inquiry by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales is now ongoing to determine whether the path can remain open to the public.
Read More on The Sun
People are only just realising with the ‘E’ symbol on their meat means
Octopus Energy to tackle standing charges – and offer payment holidays
As the appeals process is ongoing, the path has been closed for the last four years leaving residents barred from walking to the woods.
Janine Townsley, the local planning inspector, must now decide if the path was used for at least 20 years prior to 2002 without "force, secrecy or permission".
Source: Read Full Article