Council used little-known law to buy my land for cycle path – it’s THIRD time I’ve had ground seized… enough is enough
A MAN has been left fuming after the council used a little-known law to buy his land for a cycle path.
Robert Moore says a strip of land he owns close to the River Towy near Carmarthen, Wales, is the subject of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) by Carmarthenshire Council.
The purchase is part of a plan to link Carmarthen and Llandeilo with a 16-mile cycle path, partly running through land belonging to the unhappy neighbour.
And Robert is fed up with the move, complaining that this is the third time he has had ground seized by the CPO.
In response the 64-year-old has sent an objection letter amid hopes it will spark a public inquiry and have it thrown out.
He told Wales Online: “I feel enough is enough.
“My experiences have not been great, our land has been taken twice before so the community benefits while we suffer.
“The farm has been our family’s for generations. We’re not rich, and I’m not flush with a massive pension but I’m quite happy.
“The land pays the bills. We’ve got enough to live on but I want to be left alone to make a living.
“It’s the principle.”
Roger’s family has twice already lost some of their land to CPOs.
The first was in 1979 for a new section of the A40.
And this was then followed by five years later for a new housing estate.
A design statement submitted as part of the council’s planning application said nine options were initially considered for the path.
It was whittled down to three and then one and the development will require several land acquisitions, and field and river crossings.
Robert has also raised concerns people using the path could get into difficulty if they went for a swim in the river.
He said: “I’ve saved someone who was struggling in it, he was swimming with his girlfriend.
“I was on the field and his girlfriend called me over. I got him out.”
Responding to Robert’s concerns, Cllr Edward Thomas, cabinet member for transport, waste and infrastructure services, said: “The council has now made and served notice of the compulsory purchase order on all those affected and the time for making representations whether in support or objection has now expired.
“We await copies of any representations made and we are unable to comment further on negotiations with individual landowners.
“The Twyi Valley shared-use route would provide a unique opportunity to provide communities within Carmarthenshire with a cost-effective and sustainable form of transport to access jobs, services and education.
“With this comes the real and tangible prospect of securing future well-being benefits.
“Securing these benefits relies on the compulsory purchase order being successful to deliver the funded scheme for wider public benefit.”