The footpath in Salcombe known as the Crofts, has been the subject of debate ever since gates were put in place to prevent walkers from crossing the fields.

The path which links Shadycombe Road to Gould Road is a continuation of an existing footpath from the Park and Ride, through a wooded area on the boundary of the town.

Traditionally, locals working on the Fish Quay would use this path as a shortcut and over recent years dog owners and walkers have enjoyed the circuit around the fields and along Batson Creek, explains Vivien Napper.

However, recently this path has been blocked with padlocked gates, barbed wire fences and notices.

“There is a risk that the route which has been used by generations of Salcombe people could be lost through development”, fears Vivien.

Consequently, 17 members of the public and Salcombe Town Council put forward a Schedule 14 Application in February earlier this year for the unofficial foot path to be made into a Public Footpath.

The area where the path exists is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and home to the Cirl Bunting species which residents hope will encourage the protection of the land.

The recommended addition to the official public footpaths would link up with the South West Coast Path and the footpath to Gould Road.

On Thursday, November 9, The Public Rights of Way Committee of Devon County Council met to discuss the addition of this footpath to the list of official public footpaths.

Cllr Mark Long attended the meeting in support of the footpath and as a representation for Salcombe Town Council.

The conclusion of which was to recommend that “a Modification Order be made to notify the Definitive Map and Statement by adding a public footpath.”

Members of the public submitted User Evidence Forms in support of the appeal. All twenty forms available to the committee showed the frequent use of the fields known as the Crofts “spanning 66 years”.

“All the evidence of use is on foot and none of the walkers have been stopped or challenged on the routes until August 2016.”

However, a spokesperson for the owner of the fields has said that they will appeal to the recommendation.

Prior to this, the owner and representatives supplied their own evidence ready for the meeting earlier this month. After owning the land for 15 years, the landowners submitted that “the public has not gained ‘as of right’ a public footpath from Shadycombe Road to Gould Road.”

They claimed that the function of the gate was two-fold, firstly it provided a means of enclosure for livestock and secondly it announced to people that the land is restricted.

For the landowners, “the gate is similar to a notice in that it is informing the public that access through the gate is not available to the public.”

After considering and evaluating all the forms, the committee concluded that a Modification Order should be made and if there were no objections to the Order then it would “be confirmed”.

A spokesperson from the appeal group has suggested that if the landowners do appeal, then more user evidence would be needed to keep access to the footpath open.

But they were very appreciative of the work that residents have already put forward for them to get to this positive stage.