YARMOUTH ‘SEA LANE’ TO BE MADE A PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY IN ‘CUT AND DRY CASE’

A historic ‘sea lane’ in Yarmouth has been returned to the town after a 4-year wait.

The 35-metre long Friars Lane, off the High Street, had public access blocked temporarily after works at a property next to the lane restricted access to the path.

Speaking at the Isle of Wight Council appeals sub-committee meeting last week, Yarmouth town councillor Rodney Corbett said the 5 sea lanes had historically been guarded by the men of the town, but 1 sea lane, Love Lane, had already been lost.

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He said the town’s sea lanes were very dear to the heart of the people of Yarmouth and in the past when attempts had been made to privatise them gates were beaten down and another went to the magistrates’ court.

Cllr Cobert said:

“All the lanes do not have ownership, as such we believe they belong to the town … to us, which is why it is difficult to find who owns the land. We believe we have ownership forever.”

Darrel Clarke, Isle of Wight Council rights of way manager, said the authority had fully investigated the evidence, contacted witnesses and landowners and a way over land was considered to exist.

Mr Clarke advised the sub-committee there was sufficient evidence of public use in a 20-year period and there has been no interruption to that use.

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Councillor Geoff Brodie, chair, said there was an overwhelming case to make an order and with all the evidence provided it was a cut and dry case.

No one was present to speak against the application.

There is a statutory advertisement period of 6 weeks during which representations or objections can be made.