CYCLISTS, families and horse riders have won the day to have a community path linking the six kilometres between Lustleigh and Moretonhampstead.

Dartmoor National Park Authority gave the all clear at its development management committee on Friday, after hearing that the previous reasons for refusal in 2005 were overcome.

Devon County Council's controversial application for the path, following the route of the long-defunct Newton Abbot-Moretonhampstead railway line through the picturesque Wray Valley, attracted 245 letters of support and a 78 signature petition, and 40 letters of objection with a 22 signature petition.

Moretonhampstead Parish Council backed the proposal, though its counterparts in Lustleigh were against.

Paul Ewings, the DCC chief engineer highways and traffic, said it was part of the wider national cycle network scheme to eventually link Newton Abbot with Okehampton.

He said they had taken seriously the reasons for refusal in 2005 and these had now been addressed.

Supporter Ian Mercer, the former DNPA officer, said the project had been 14 years in the making. Getting cyclists off the A382 would be safer and for them a much more enjoyable scene.

'I argued three years ago that this authority should have been the leader of the project. This is a much better proposal and will be of huge public benefit to eastern Dartmoor,' said Dr Mercer.

Objector Ted Malloy said though amendments had been made to the previous proposals, if granted the amenities of residents on a farm would seriously be detracted.

He contended the proposal would be detrimental to the appearance of the park, there were road safety issues where cyclists came out on to Knowle Road which was narrow and where there had been accidents, while it would also attract parking at Brookfield.

'The application was refused in 2005. Members should consider why no has suddenly become yes,' said Mr Malloy.

Sally Morgan said: 'It is not the Tour de France that is going through there. It is for families and young children.'

Granting the application unanimously, members want the county to retain any railway artefacts and to look at parking issues.