Vixen Tor - Public access - Dartmoor Letterboxing Archive

The Wandering Artist

2011-09-20 21:10:12

The result of the Planning Inspectorates Public inquiry into two public access routes through the enclosure of Vixen Tor has finally ruled that there is no public right of way established from the evidence submitted.

You can view the report on Devon County Council website for Planning Inspectorate.

Duckpool

2011-09-21 09:21:34

A damn shame!

Nik - KOTM

2011-09-21 22:05:23

Link?

Is this because they managed to keep the public off it for 10 years? If that is the case then the ruling isn't legal as someone apart from the owner has accessed it on an annual basis.

But then DCC are a bunch of two faced people saying one thing and doing something else which upsets everyone

Sowerby Streaker

2011-09-22 07:23:07

Yes it is a shame this has gone through - but then there are several hundred more tors to visit and 365 square miles of Dartmoor to walk. Why does everyone get in such a state over one little tor!!!!! We can still see around it from the walls and road. :wink:

Gemma

2011-09-22 12:06:01

Link?

Is this because they managed to keep the public off it for 10 years? If that is the case then the ruling isn't legal as someone apart from the owner has accessed it on an annual basis.

But then DCC are a bunch of two faced people saying one thing and doing something else which upsets everyone

I guess if I owned the land I would not want "Joe Public" wandering over it, yes shame but as said the Moor is a big place, Vixon Tor is very small in comparision.

Dartymoor

2011-09-22 20:47:11

I disagree with that sentiment.

Sure, life's short enough not to spend every waking hour obsessing over it, but if more than one bitter old lady decided to follow suit where they could do so, there won't be 365 square miles that are free to roam for long. With the access agreement at Southdown at Meldon's Resorvoir ending and no funds available to continue paying for it, resulting in the path being blocked by the landowner, this is another example of curtailment of our enjoyment.

With Vixen Tor, there doesn't appear to be any reason to prevent access other than spite and greed. The insurance claim is bunkum - Mrs Alford's illegal actions and subsequent fines for fertilising this scrubland subsequently are probably indicative of her true intentions, and her demand for £65,000 for the first year to open the gates again shows this has nothing to do with anything but greed. (Her cost breakdown has no mention of going towards public liability insurance which was her initial reason for closing it)

Maybe I'm an idealist, but I find this attitude appalling. Sure, I wouldn't want people trudging through my flowerbeds at home, but if I bought an area that had free access for living memory I wouldn't presume to prevent that. I certainly wouldn't hold the tallest Tor on dartmoor to ransom for personal gain. I have nothing but contempt for those that currently are doing just that.

Gemma

2011-09-23 07:31:29

I disagree with that sentiment.

Sure, life's short enough not to spend every waking hour obsessing over it, but if more than one bitter old lady decided to follow suit where they could do so, there won't be 365 square miles that are free to roam for long. With the access agreement at Southdown at Meldon's Resorvoir ending and no funds available to continue paying for it, resulting in the path being blocked by the landowner, this is another example of curtailment of our enjoyment.

With Vixen Tor, there doesn't appear to be any reason to prevent access other than spite and greed. The insurance claim is bunkum - Mrs Alford's illegal actions and subsequent fines for fertilising this scrubland subsequently are probably indicative of her true intentions, and her demand for £65,000 for the first year to open the gates again shows this has nothing to do with anything but greed. (Her cost breakdown has no mention of going towards public liability insurance which was her initial reason for closing it)

Maybe I'm an idealist, but I find this attitude appalling. Sure, I wouldn't want people trudging through my flowerbeds at home, but if I bought an area that had free access for living memory I wouldn't presume to prevent that. I certainly wouldn't hold the tallest Tor on dartmoor to ransom for personal gain. I have nothing but contempt for those that currently are doing just that.

Guess you disagree then.!! :D :D

Freemans of the Moor

2011-09-23 16:53:48

I disagree with that sentiment.

Sure, life's short enough not to spend every waking hour obsessing over it, but if more than one bitter old lady decided to follow suit where they could do so, there won't be 365 square miles that are free to roam for long. With the access agreement at Southdown at Meldon's Resorvoir ending and no funds available to continue paying for it, resulting in the path being blocked by the landowner, this is another example of curtailment of our enjoyment.

With Vixen Tor, there doesn't appear to be any reason to prevent access other than spite and greed. The insurance claim is bunkum - Mrs Alford's illegal actions and subsequent fines for fertilising this scrubland subsequently are probably indicative of her true intentions, and her demand for £65,000 for the first year to open the gates again shows this has nothing to do with anything but greed. (Her cost breakdown has no mention of going towards public liability insurance which was her initial reason for closing it)

Maybe I'm an idealist, but I find this attitude appalling. Sure, I wouldn't want people trudging through my flowerbeds at home, but if I bought an area that had free access for living memory I wouldn't presume to prevent that. I certainly wouldn't hold the tallest Tor on dartmoor to ransom for personal gain. I have nothing but contempt for those that currently are doing just that.

Guess you disagree then.!! :D :D

Maybe I got this wrong, but before Mrs. Alsford bought the "Property" it was, we believe, owned by the National Park. If so the fault lies with them for NOT insuring that current Rights of Access that existed at that time were not then altered as a condition of the sale.

Freemans of the Moor

2011-09-23 16:58:39

Link?

Is this because they managed to keep the public off it for 10 years? If that is the case then the ruling isn't legal as someone apart from the owner has accessed it on an annual basis.

But then DCC are a bunch of two faced people saying one thing and doing something else which upsets everyone

I guess if I owned the land I would not want "Joe Public" wandering over it, yes shame but as said the Moor is a big place, Vixon Tor is very small in comparision.

Sorry Girl, It has the record of being the TALLEST Tor on Dartmoor

Freemans of the Moor

2011-09-23 17:00:48

Yes it is a shame this has gone through - but then there are several hundred more tors to visit and 365 square miles of Dartmoor to walk. Why does everyone get in such a state over one little tor!!!!! We can still see around it from the walls and road. :wink:

Little it is NOT, it has the holds the record of being the TALLEST Tor on Dartmoor

Sowerby Streaker

2011-09-23 17:01:45

:!: quote:- Sorry Girl, It has the record of being the TALLEST Tor on Dartmoor

What!!! Surely its not taller than Haytor????? :shock:

Freemans of the Moor

2011-09-23 17:03:51

:!: Sorry Girl, It has the record of being the TALLEST Tor on Dartmoor

What!!! Surely its not taller than Haytor????? :shock:
Check the Stats, From it's base to the top it is the tallest Tor on the Moor

Sowerby Streaker

2011-09-23 17:13:29

How weird - just checked my A to Z of Dartmoor Tors book but it doesn't give the height of Haytor. You are correct in a way as it says for Vixen tor

The tallest, not the highest, tor on the moor at 30metres....Lucky Tor runs Vixen very close

What's the difference between the 'Tallest' or 'Highest' I wonder :?:

whoisthechallenger

2011-09-23 18:58:52

Surely the 'Highest' tor is Yes Tor? Unless you claim High Willhays is otherwise called Hampster Tor (as some people do).

That is to say, I've rarely heard anyone call them the 'tallest peaks on the moor', though its that flexible English language again...

Sowerby Streaker

2011-09-23 21:13:33

:wink: Penny has dropped :roll: Obviosuly the 'tallest is measured from ground level to top. The highest must mean highest above sea level i.e Yes tor, Okehampton. :lol:

Gemma

2011-09-24 19:27:09

Link?

Is this because they managed to keep the public off it for 10 years? If that is the case then the ruling isn't legal as someone apart from the owner has accessed it on an annual basis.

But then DCC are a bunch of two faced people saying one thing and doing something else which upsets everyone

I guess if I owned the land I would not want "Joe Public" wandering over it, yes shame but as said the Moor is a big place, Vixon Tor is very small in comparision.

Sorry Girl, It has the record of being the TALLEST Tor on Dartmoor

Tallest maybe, but area wise small.

foxy

2011-09-25 08:27:08

You're not going to win this one, gentlemen! :roll:

Freemans of the Moor

2011-09-25 14:58:56

You're not going to win this one, gentlemen! :roll:

Tain't worth bothering !

Gemma

2011-09-25 15:58:34

You're not going to win this one, gentlemen! :roll:

Tain't worth bothering !

Yep.I agree not worth bothering with.

Sowerby Streaker

2011-09-25 16:36:44

:roll: O.K. would you like me to delete the posts then :? :roll:

Gemma

2011-09-25 17:53:49

:roll: O.K. would you like me to delete the posts then :? :roll:

Why?

Good to have a balanced view point. Your opinion is just as valued as every one's.

foxy

2011-09-25 18:35:27

:roll: O.K. would you like me to delete the posts then :? :roll:

That would be a shame. The is it/isn't it an adder thread was quite amusing if you fancy a bit of light entertainment.

Sowerby Streaker

2011-09-25 20:11:27

No problem, will leave this thread as it is then :lol:

The Wandering Artist

2011-09-25 21:04:18

Everyone has the right of opinion on a forum, whether it is liked or not by whoever.

Personally - I have visited Vixen Tor only three times that I remember and that was twice before I started boxing for no other reason than to look at it, and once when I did it as an artistic study.

There are a body of walkers that are incensed when their 'right of public way' is removed, so it is up to them to argue their point and in a lot of cases this must be to the benefit or the community as a whole.

I do not see that the present owner will benefit from the enclosure in any way whatsoever now.

Nik - KOTM

2011-09-30 15:08:14

Everyone has the right of opinion on a forum, whether it is liked or not by whoever.

There are a body of walkers that are incensed when their 'right of public way' is removed, so it is up to them to argue their point and in a lot of cases this must be to the benefit or the community as a whole.

I do not see that the present owner will benefit from the enclosure in any way whatsoever now.

I agree to a point that everyone has a right to free speech on this forum, but since this is a letterboxing forum, lets try to keep it letterboxing/Dartmoor related. However I draw the line at selling non Dartmoor related stuff on the main forums and I have spent a long time deleting some of these users.

With respect to access to Vixen Tor, sadly that is down to the owner, to me it seems they have bought a large pile of rock which they can do nothing with which includes the boundaries which have now been defaced with paint, yet the ramblers association is still determined to gain access... so folks it appears it is a case of watch this space...

Gemma

2011-09-30 18:37:45

With respect to access to Vixen Tor, sadly that is down to the owner, to me it seems they have bought a large pile of rock which they can do nothing with which includes the boundaries which have now been defaced with paint, yet the ramblers association is still determined to gain access... so folks it appears it is a case of watch this space...

That said it is their pile of rocks to which they can do as they please. I would suggest the RA have thier own agenda!!

Nik - KOTM

2011-10-01 14:33:05

I care not if someone will or wont allow access to part of the moor, what my objection is about is the graffiti that has been daubed over all the walls

Gemma

2011-10-01 19:47:22

I care not if someone will or wont allow access to part of the moor, what my objection is about is the graffiti that has been daubed over all the walls

Surely this is off topic, is there an Admin nearby :D

foxy

2011-10-01 20:56:28

Discussion on adders, anyone?

Nik - KOTM

2011-10-02 16:49:05

I care not if someone will or wont allow access to part of the moor, what my objection is about is the graffiti that has been daubed over all the walls

Surely this is off topic, is there an Admin nearby :D

Off topic? Have you been round Vixen Tor recently?

As for admin... none here

The Sly Fox

2011-10-06 13:29:38

Sure, I wouldn't want people trudging through my flowerbeds at home, but if I bought an area that had free access for living memory I wouldn't presume to prevent that.

For my two pennies worth, I have to agree here.

A few signs with disclaimers at access points would prevent any insurance worries surely?

Tamerton Chocolates

2011-10-06 18:21:50

A few signs with disclaimers at access points would prevent any insurance worries surely?

No, it does exactly the opposite (we had this investigated as we were interested in a property with a right of way across it). By placing disclaimers you acknowledge the fact that you as a landowner are aware of the dangers (and for want of a better word - failed to make it safer) and it is even more likely that the person injured on your land wins her insurance/damages claim.

The Sly Fox

2011-10-18 23:07:04

It would seem the world has gone mad :evil:

A few suggestions then:

1. Have the area floodlit so everyone can see clearly

2. Yellow and black markings on things an inch higher than the ground

3. Paint the rocks luminous yellow to prevent walking into them

4. Place a first aid kit every twenty metres or so

5. Replace the grass with non-slip flooring

6. Cut off all tree branches to prevent banging your head

7. Supply hard hats in case of low flying birds

8. Make steel toe-cap boots available in case of snakes

9. Ensure all vistors wear protective padding in case they hit a butterfly

That should make things easier. Now we can enjoy the area without the landowners having to worry. :wink:

The Wandering Artist

2011-10-19 20:33:59

Maybe it would help to set charges around the Tor and totally destroy it, giving the Army an ideal opportunity to practice their skills. (and at no cost to the Landowner).

Then it would be a case of - no Tor - no interest - problem solved! What would the landowner get from it - absolutely nothing - same as they get now!