23/9/2009

Ramblers Cymru, the Open Spaces Society and local residents in Carmarthenshire, are celebrating after their objection to plans to transform an irreplaceable local beauty spot into a motorbike scrambling area was upheld by the County planning dept.

Mynyddygarreg Mountain, a beauty spot and former quarry site with spectacular views from Caldy Island to the Brecon Beacons, had been seriously threatened by a planning application to develop the area into a motorbike scrambling course. Ramblers Cymru and the Open Spaces Society added their support to growing local opposition when they lodged their objection to the application three weeks ago.

The objections were upheld on Wednesday 14th September 2009. Mike Mills, Ramblers Cymru Rights of Way Officer, comments: "This is a judgement for common sense.
Motorbikes and quad bikes would completely destroy the well-loved peace and tranquility of Mynyddygarreg 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"

Concerned local resident, Dr Alison Creed, who also lodged an objection to the application comments: "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."