THE bitter dispute over the closure of the coastal footpath at Blue Anchor could take up to 17 years to resolve if there is no Government intervention, dismayed protestors have been told.
The revelation came at a meeting of Somerset County Council’s Regulation Committee when members refused an application to fast-track a decision on whether to reopen the footpath to the public.
It has been barred to the public since last March by Blue Anchor Chalet Owners’ Association (BACOA), who claimed it ran through their private property.
The application to reopen it was backed by a petition signed by over 120 long-term users of the footpath.
The path – the last 300 yards of the £637,000 Dunster-Blue Anchor Steam CoastTrail which opened last December – was fenced off by the owners of the 18 chalets.
Cyclists and walkers have been diverted on to the shingle beach, which protestors labelled “positively dangerous”.
Ivor Sutton, the Ramblers’ Association West Somerset footpaths officer, said he was constantly getting reports of confrontations between path-users and chalet-owners.
“Disputes are getting more frequent and it could be only a matter of time before something serious happens,” he said.
Carl Earl, who represented the Ramblers’ Association, now intends to make a non-determination appeal to the Secretary of State of DEFRA. This can be done after a year and, if successful, the case could be heard within two or three years.
Full report in the Free Press