A controversial right of way at a Meirionnydd beauty spots has been rubber-stamped by councillors.

Access to a path in front of a row of houses at Mawddach Crescent, Arthog, has long been contested, with local residents saying the land is private and there was no right of way.

Councillors sided with walkers last year and last week they rubber-stamped the proposal to create a permanent footpath at the front of the houses on Mawddach Crescent.

Residents of Mawddach Crescent had argued that walkers are treading across their front garden, but campaigners claim they have been using the scenic path without obstruction for decades, ever since a tramway ran along the estuary in the very early part of the 20th century.

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said this week: “The council’s planning committee at its meeting on 29 April decided to support an application to register a public footpath along the former tramway between Barmouth Bridge and Mawddach Cresent, Arthog.

“The planning committee had previously decided to support the creation of a public footpath in front of the houses at Mawddach Crescent.

“The council will now prepare the Modification Order to register both sections of path, and the public will have the opportunity to support or object to the order.”