A DARTMOOR beauty spot, which is at the centre of a long-running access row, will come under the spotlight again next week when a public inquiry is held over public access.

An independent planning inspector will decide whether Devon County Council's decision to create a right of way over the land should be upheld, following an appeal by the landowners.

At the inquiry in Princetown Village Centre next Tuesday (November 23) the council will argue that walkers and climbers have been visiting Vixen Tor for more than 100 years in sufficient numbers for the route to be recorded as a public footpath.

The site was closed in 2003 when the Alford family took over the land. Since then campaigners have tried to get Vixen Tor designated as open access land under different legislation but their proposal was turned down at a public inquiry.

Public rights of way manager for the county council Mike Jenkins said: 'We had an application from the Ramblers' Association to make an order to record this footpath because of the long history of people visiting the site.

'We agreed to publish the order after examining all the evidence but this has been opposed by the landowners.

'An independent planning inspector will now hear from all sides and make a decision.'

Access officer for the Ramblers' Association in Devon John Skinner said he was pleased the county council would be taking a leading role in the inquiry.

'Sometimes the county council makes an order but does not necessarily support the application but it is different in this case,' he said.

'We will be supporting the council and presenting evidence where we can. People have been going to Vixen Tor for over 100 years and the fact that the landowners closed it off in 2003 is monstrous.'

The inquiry begins at 10am.