CAMPAIGNERS who won an appeal over access to a blocked Anglesey footpath say they will “never give up” amid concerns the legal wrangling could continue.
Community champions had hailed victory in their four-year bid to re-establish public access to the padlocked route which runs across land near Lleiniog beach to the back of Castell Aberlleiniog.
However the island’s council later warned that despite the win, the matter was not “assured.”
Anglesey Council was formally directed by Planning and Environment Decisions Wales [PEDW] to make an order to modify the definitive map and statement for the area to add the claimed route within six months of its December 6 decision.
The campaigners had said the path had been “used for decades – possibly centuries”.
Retired Dr Nick Stuart had made the legal case on behalf of villagers from the Llangoed, Penmon and Caim area with support from retired health professional and campaigner Gareth Phillips
Over the years, a swathe of applications and appeals were made, including a previous refusal by Anglesey County Council to establish a “definitive map modification order”.
Objections over bids for public access, including an extended footpath route, had come from landowners – including a private family trust – tenants, and developers.
The council has since confirmed that it has six months to prepare and publish the order – it anticipates this will be done by February.
They said: “The order must be advertised on site and in at least one local newspaper. It will also be published at ‘legal orders for highways’.
“Landowners will also be served with a notice of making an order.”
On whether the fight would go on if contested again, Gareth Phillips said: “While we may not have funds for barristers and High Court hearings, what we do have is the community on our side – and that is worth more than any financial advantage.
“If it does go on, we will never give up, not after all this time.
“This footpath is a very important route for local people and one which has long been used for decades, more than likely centuries.
“A number of people have recently spoken to me and emphasised that they have used the path for many, many years and their family members before them.
“As a retired health professional, I am particularly keen to promote the idea of ‘green prescribing’ which is aimed at getting more people out and about, walking in the countryside, to help boost mental and physical health.
“This path facilitates this for local people. We hope the council will act speedily in this matter.”
