A TRACK which has existed since the 16th century can be developed and used again by a property in the village of Llanfapley, planners have agreed.

The application by Dr Jill Featherstone of Middle Ton brought 45 letters of objections of which Monmouthshire County Council officers say 37 came from one household.

The letters claim the track has not been used for at least 40 years.

But the applicant told members of Monmouthshire county planning committee at their meeting last week that the previous owners of Middle Ton had used the track from the time they bought the property in 1936 until the 1980s.

She said Monmouthshire County Council had investigated the status of the track in 2003 and concluded that it was the private vehicular access to Middle Ton, Lower Ton and Little Ton.

She had consulted a large number of residents in the village and many of them had said they used it for walking. She appealed to the councillors to help preserve an ancient roadway.

Planning control officer David Swanson said officers had recommended approval of the scheme because it would be a safer access onto the B4233 than the current access which is used by three properties.

He said a site visit was held prior to the meeting when councillors and officers walked up the track and back again.

He said objectors had raised the issue of ownership of the land but this was not a planning consideration.

He said a licence would be required from the Countryside Council for Wales because there is a badger sett alongside the track, but the committee chairman Councillor Ruth Edwards said as a farmer she could tell that the sett had not been used for years as there were no fresh marks.

The local member, Councillor Brian Hood said the officers had presented a very good and balanced report and he fully supported the recommendations. He had known the track as a councillor for 24 years.

Ian Cattroll, whose family lives at the Red Hart Inn in Llanfapley said they objected, as did the owner of Little Ton.

They objected on the grounds of the impact the work would have on the local environment and wildlife.

"It will cause untold damage to an area of outstanding natural beauty." He said it had not been used for more than 30 years and significant work would be needed to make the track suitable for vehicles. Their main concern was the disturbance caused to a badger sett.

But councillors agreed with their officers' recommendation and approved the application by 12 votes to one with one abstention.