Walkers’ representatives are celebrating after a council threw out plans to turn a Welsh beauty spot into a motorbike scrambling area.
Both Ramblers Cymru and the Open Spaces Society objected to the proposals, submitted to Carmarthenshire County Council, for the site on Mynydd y Garreg, a 181m (594ft) hill with views to the Brecon Beacons. The objections were upheld in a decision by the planning department and welcomed by local residents.
The residents were supported by the two campaigning groups when they objected three weeks ago.
Mike Mills, Ramblers Cymru rights-of-way officer, said: “This is a judgment for common sense. Motorbikes and quad bikes would completely destroy the well loved peace and tranquility of Mynydd y Garreg Mountain, and this application has caused considerable amount of distress to local residents and walkers alike.
“Carmarthenshire County Council has an important obligation to the local community to keep all their public rights of way open and accessible, and we welcome this decision.”
Resident Dr Alison Creed, who also lodged an objection to the application, echoed Mr Mills’s view. She said: “I’m so relieved that Carmarthenshire planners have refused this application, I have walked on this byway and footpath regularly for the last six years and it’s an area of such outstanding beauty.
“I had serious concerns about the effect on local plant and wildlife which would have been destroyed had the application succeeded.”
The Ramblers have 7,000 members and volunteers in Wales. The charity estimates that Walking contributes some £548 million to the Welsh economy each year.
Walkers’ representatives are celebrating after a council threw out plans to turn a Welsh beauty spot into a motorbike scrambling area.
Both Ramblers Cymru and the Open Spaces Society objected to the proposals, submitted to Carmarthenshire County Council, for the site on Mynydd y Garreg, a 181m (594ft) hill with views to the Brecon Beacons. The objections were upheld in a decision by the planning department and welcomed by local residents.
The residents were supported by the two campaigning groups when they objected three weeks ago.
Mike Mills, Ramblers Cymru rights-of-way officer, said: “This is a judgment for common sense. Motorbikes and quad bikes would completely destroy the well loved peace and tranquility of Mynydd y Garreg Mountain, and this application has caused considerable amount of distress to local residents and walkers alike.
“Carmarthenshire County Council has an important obligation to the local community to keep all their public rights of way open and accessible, and we welcome this decision.”
Resident Dr Alison Creed, who also lodged an objection to the application, echoed Mr Mills’s view. She said: “I’m so relieved that Carmarthenshire planners have refused this application, I have walked on this byway and footpath regularly for the last six years and it’s an area of such outstanding beauty.
“I had serious concerns about the effect on local plant and wildlife which would have been destroyed had the application succeeded.”
The Ramblers have 7,000 members and volunteers in Wales. The charity estimates that Walking contributes some £548 million to the Welsh economy each year.
