A COUNCIL has warned access to an Anglesey footpath “is not assured” despite campaigners winning an appeal.
Community champions from the Llangoed area have battled for years to win back use of a path which runs across land near Lleiniog beach to the back of the 11th century castle, Castell Aberlleiniog.
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.
They had claimed that the route had been used for generations long before gates on the path were padlocked and had taken the matter to the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales [PEDW].
After considering the matter for 18 months, it had allowed their appeal over the disputed route.
It has now formally directed Anglesey County Council to make an order to modify the definitive map and statement for the area and to add the claimed routed marked A-B (see map) within six months of its decision.
The appeal had seen Dr Stuart and Mr Phillips and friends collating evidence from residents including a number of elderly citizens to prove the path had been walked by locals and visitors for decades.
They had also believed it was part of a much older route, possibly used for centuries for access to a lime kiln, as well as the castle and Anglesey shore.
But the campaigners only had to prove the route had been used for far longer than the minimum 20 year period required for a right of way to be deemed a public footpath.
In reply Anglesey Council has warned the matter may not be over yet, and says it could still be subject to further proceedings.
A spokesperson said: “On the 06/12/2024 PEDW allowed the appeal by the applicant, Dr Nicholas Stuart, against our decision not make an order to register the route on Anglesey’s Definitive Map and Statement of public rights of way. PEDW have directed us to make the order within six months of their decision date.
“An appeal to the High Court (within three months of the decision date) against PEDW’s decision is possible, but unlikely. The route is not presently registered on the Definitive Map & Statement, so it has no legal status.
“When we make the order, it will be advertised with a 42-day objection period available. If the order is unopposed the council must confirm it itself.
“If there is an objection(s), the order must then be submitted to PEDW for determination. It would be determined by PEDW following a written representations procedure, a local hearing or a public inquiry.
“Therefore, although the council has been given a direction to make an order, its confirmation is not assured.”
