Campaigners fear Glendorgal could change before rights inquiry concludes

An application concerning access to the path around Glendorgal Headland will be the next to be allocated to a case officer, Cornwall Council has said.

The authority confirmed that the Definitive Map Modification Order application, known as WCA 961, has been submitted and validated.

Campaigners had raised concerns after being told the case was 87th on Cornwall Council’s priority list and could wait around a year before being assigned for investigation.

However, Cornwall Council said 86 other DMMO applications are currently under active investigation and the Glendorgal case will be the next one allocated.

A spokesperson said: “Time-sensitive applications are prioritised.

“The Glendorgal application will be the next application to be allocated to a case officer.”

The council said a thorough investigation would be required to determine whether public rights have been acquired and whether an order should be made to add them to the legal record. It expects that process to take several months.

A DMMO can be used to add or amend a public right of way on the Definitive Map, the legal record of footpaths, bridleways and other public routes.

Applications must be supported by evidence showing that a route should be recorded.

The Glendorgal Coast Path group submitted the application after access became disputed around the headland.

Earlier this year, a gate was erected which campaigners said effectively closed a path used by the public for many years.

The owner of the former Glendorgal Hotel, who was granted planning permission last year to build 12 holiday homes on the headland, previously said the land was private and that there was no public right of way.

Preliminary consultation on the application has now begun. The claimed routes have been mapped and relevant organisations, user groups, local representatives and affected landowners have been invited to respond by 26 October.

Campaigners welcomed confirmation that WCA 961 was progressing but said they remained concerned about how long a full determination could take.

They said routes were already blocked and redevelopment was progressing, creating a risk that the character of the headland and the historic lines of access could change before the evidence was fully examined.

The group said it was not asking Cornwall Council to prejudge the application, but wanted its priority reconsidered because of what it described as time-sensitive circumstances.

It has contacted organisations and representatives including the Ramblers, Open Spaces Society, Natural England, Newquay Town Council and Noah Law MP to seek support for an early investigation.