PROWL
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Public Rights of Way, Langness (PROWL) is a local campaign group set up following the closure of a footpath that follows the coastline around Langness lighthouse at Dreswick Point.
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Brief History
The lighthouse and keepers cottages were built in 1879/80 by the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB). In 1996 the lighthouse was automated and subsequently the Keepers cottages and ancillery buildings were sold into private ownership and converted into a private residence and holiday cottages.
As with many locations on the island, there were no enforced restrictions of access around the area while in the hands of the NLB and it was common for members of the public to walk around the coastline unhindered.
In 1975, demonstrators staged a mass protest to oppose moves to restrict access to Langness Head led by the then Castletown MHK Elspeth Quayle which led to an agreement with the trustees of land in 1976 which permitted the public to use the road to the lighthouse.
Following the purchase of the cottages by TV personallity Jeremy Clarkson, parts of the wall surrounding the cottages was lowered to improve views out to the sea and the pathway that passed infront of the property was fenced off to prevent public access in October 2005.
Location Map
This is an approximate representation of the former route, now closed in red and the alternative permissive route in green.
Langness Pathways
Old maps show a public right of way as far as the public car park. Over the years footpaths have been worn into the land from the car park that follow the coastline around the lighthouse and also through fields past the Herring Tower. These pathways are clearly visible on aerial photographs (see Location Map above) and at ground level.
The particular part in dispute is the 0.25km section of path that passes around the three sea facing sides of the lighthouse boundary walls as shown in red on the location map.
Dispute
The owners of the cottages claim that the closed section was a "permissive" right of way, whereas PROWL insist that the path is a "Public" right of way. The owners also claim verbal abuse, walkers staring in through windows and death of livestock to due dogs being allowed off leads. These claims are disputed by PROWL.
The campaign is seeking the reopening of this particular section and for the path to be properly designated in law.
PROWL believes the closure can be lawfully challenged by our government under Section 88 of the Highways Act.
The act states that, "Where a way over any land… has actually been enjoyed by the public as a right and without interruption for… 21 years, the way is to be deemed to have been dedicated as a highway unless there is sufficient evidence that there was no intention during that period to dedicate it…”
Since October PROWL has collected hundreds of supporters, including 75 who’ve walked the circular path without obstruction for more than 21 years. Between then and now there has been no attempt by any landowner to either close the footpath, or to indicate that they wish to restrict the access of Manx people to their southern-most peninsular.
Campaign Points
- Access to the Langness circular footpath has never previously been restricted
- Manx law allows the circular path to be made official
- Local politicians need your support to save the footpath
- Local people have enjoyed the rugged beauty of Langness for generations
- Langness sees more birds and butterflies than any other part of the island
- Langness is the southern-most tip of the Island, and perfect for watching seals
- Preserving access is a matter of principle - not personality
- Langness is a national Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)
- Scattered ashes of family members make Langness a garden of remembrance
- If the circular footpath at Langness is closed for good - what will be next?
Futher Reading
- Battle for Langness part 2 IOM Today 03 November 2005
- Clarkson's barbed comments infuriate neighbours Daily Mail 14 July 2006
- Public Inquiry to be launched IOM Today 28 November 2007
- Langness access proposal delayed yet again IOM Today 16 July 2008
- Tynwald to debate Langness 'solution' Manx Radio 05 December 2008
