21 October 2023 , 13:57
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A couple have told how their car tyres have been slashed after they put a gate to block a public footpath going across their driveway which they claim should not exist.
Jean and Graham Underdown, from Barry, have been trying to get the public right of way that goes across their driveway in Clos Cwm Barri for 20 years and say they've faced vandalism including rocks and a breeze block being thrown at their cars.
The couple said that mud and dog mess has also often left on their driveway, while their attempts to block the footpath had led to more problems. But while they argue their privacy is being invaded, many locals point out that Vale of Glamorgan Council has repeatedly refused to delete the footpath, and they were annoyed that their right to walk across it was being obstructed.
South Wales Police confirmed they received a report of criminal damage to a car in Clos Cwm Barri in the early hours of Tuesday, October 10. Jean said: "Some people like to walk over and have a look at what I am growing in the garden and things like that. It is intrusive.
The tyres of their car have been slashed (No credit)"We came here thinking: 'Right, we have got a private drive. We will not have every Tom, Dick, and Harry walking through our property', but that is exactly what happened. There's a footpath through our property and people throw bricks and leave dog's mess."
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Taylor Wimpey obtained planning permission to build new homes at Cwm Barry Farm off Pontypridd Road in 1994. Jean and Graham bought their property in 1999. As part of an agreement between Vale of Glamorgan Council and the developers, a vehicle access point was created where the footpath, called Footpath 73, crosses from the Underdowns' driveway and into the nearby field.
This was for the maintenance of Porthkerry Country Park. A council report states there was a requirement for a pedestrian access to also be provided, but this did not happen. An application for a public right of way was made in 1999 and the Vale of Glamorgan Council's order for the creation of Footpath 73 was confirmed in 2003.
The couple applied twice in 2009 for the right of way to be deleted, but were refused each time. An application was refused again at a meeting in September, 2023. The local authority argued it had already been used as a public right of way for more than 20 years, prior to 2003.
But Jean disputed this. She told WalesOnline: "I am a fourth generation brought up in this area. My ancestors came to Barry in the late 1800s and we have been here ever since and I know there was no footpath over these fields ever."
A council spokesperson said: "This matter was considered in detail, as was the comprehensive documentation submitted, at the meeting of the council’s public rights of way sub-committee. The committee determined that the application to delete the footpath as recorded on the definitive map be declined. The applicant has the right to appeal this decision. We understand this is currently being considered."
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