Ramblers on track for route to Maiden Castle (From Dorset Echo)

Ramblers on track for route to Maiden Castle

10:40am Thursday 26th November 2009 in News By Harry Hogger

RAMBLERS have received a boost in their campaign for improved countryside access to Maiden Castle after West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin backed their cause.

Members of the South Dorset Ramblers have been objecting to proposals for rural access put forward as part of the latest designs for Poundbury, claiming they fail to offer a satisfactory route to the historic landmark.

The Ramblers say a direct route was proposed by the Poundbury Development Brief and have accused the Duchy of Cornwall of backtracking on its offer.

The outline planning application for phases three and four of Poundbury is currently being considered by West Dorset District Council and Mr Letwin has written to the authority to voice his support for the Ramblers.

The MP highlights the ‘considerable concern locally’ and the ‘importance of this particular route for cyclists, walkers and the disabled’.

He adds: “I hope that West Dorset District Council may be willing to stipulate as a condition of the planning permission for the next phases of Poundbury that this particular route should be included as a right of way in accordance with the Poundbury Development Brief.”

Rambler Dave Green, who lives on Maiden Castle Road, said the group was delighted to receive support from Mr Letwin.

He said: “He has always supported open access but to actually get him to come out and say the Duchy should now follow the development brief, which is what we are saying – we are very happy about that.

“We are very pleased to have him on board. He had a good look at it and all the issues and came out fully in favour.”

Ramblers are meeting again this week to discuss the campaign and Mr Greene insists that, just because the deadline for comments on the planning application has passed, members are ‘not taking our eyes off the ball’.

Mr Green said: “We will prepare our case and when the planning committee meets we will put our case before them yet again with some added points.

“Any additional support is only going to strengthen our cause and that is why we are pleased to get Mr Letwin on board.”

The Duchy has claimed it has taken steps to improve access but has to take into consideration the rights of the tenant farmer on the land around Maiden Castle.