A MOVE to reinstate an age-old right of way that runs through the grounds of a new block of luxury apartments in Teignmouth has been referred to the Secretary of State, Margaret Beckett MP, writes Hannah Taylor. The developers and residents of the 11 apartments at Eastcliff, the former Victorian villa known as Eastburn, in First Drive, have put forward objections to Devon County Council plans to formalise the short cut that runs through the grounds as a public right of way. Dozens of people have used the route to the coastal footpath for the best part of a century. They complained to the council when developer Devonshire Homes Ltd, based in Tiverton, blocked off the access with a padlocked gate. The route has been inaccessible since Devonshire Homes started work on site more than a year ago. Devon County Council has applied for an order to designate the route, including a two-metre wide strip through the grounds of the development, a public right of way because of its historic use. It is likely that a public inquiry will determine the matter later this year. Devon county rights of way officer Michael Martyn said that a number of representations had been received about the order. 'We have received a number of objections. Many seem to have taken the line that the council is creating a right of way rather than recording something that people have used for many years,' he said. Many objections have come from residents of the apartments and the developers. A great deal of support for the right of way has also been lodged. County Cllr Chris Bray, of Teignmouth, has urged people who have used the path to come forward. 'I'm sorry that this matter could not be sorted out through negotiation. 'However, now that it is to go to a public inquiry, I urge local people who have used the path without encumbrance for many years to put their case or otherwise the route may be lost,' said Cllr Bray.
