A THREE-day public inquiry has been held in St Dogmaels to determine the route of a public footpath near the village.

The inquiry held at the Memorial Hall was called after objections were raised to a proposal from Pembrokeshire County Council to alter a public right of way along the Cei Bach jetty/pier by the old Lifeboat House at the end of Poppit Sands beach.

Around 30 people turned up at the opening of the inquiry chaired by Welsh Government-appointed planning inspector Martin Elliott to hear the opening arguments.

Tina Douglas, representing Pembrokeshire County Council, told the inquiry that it was not looking at an ancient right of way and that the history of the route did not satisfy the criteria for a public right of way.

She argued that a Court of Session ruling in 1960 made this clear, along with fencing that had been erected.

Council map officer Matt Cloud told the inquiry that there had been errors in drawing up maps showing the path and that in its existing state it was very steep and grassed over with vegetation and brambles. He said the section of path had never been publicly maintained.

Landowner Mrs Mary Mill told the inquiry her family had always welcomed people to use the jetty but that the existing path was not a right of way and was “steep and dangerous”.

However, objections to the proposed closure have been raised through St Dogmaels Community Council. It had the backing of Pembrokeshire Ramblers and Ramblers Cymru.

Objectors argued that the route had been well used over the years.

Resident Penny Rees said she could remember frequently using the path and going through the woods back in the 1960s to get to and from the beach depending on the tides.

Inspector Mr Elliott deferred his decision to a later date.