PLANNING chiefs will have to wait to have their say on contentious proposals to close a popular path through the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.

The application, which has drawn more than 100 objections, was withdrawn from a meeting of Newport City Council’s planning committee on April 3.

Councillors heard that pertinent information had been submitted “very late in the day” and that officers needed time to look it over.

Under the resort’s proposals, the route which was built to serve part of the golf course built for the 2010 Ryder Cup would be closed off permanently.

This includes the £2 million footbridge which is commonly used by walkers, cyclists and runners to cross the River Usk and access the rest of the path.

South Wales Argus: The £2 million footbridge was opened by then-first minister Carwyn Jones in 2010The £2 million footbridge was opened by then-first minister Carwyn Jones in 2010

These groups make up most of the objectors, although local councillors and the Caerleon Civic Society are also opposed to the application.

Councillor Jason Hughes had said: “People, including myself are bemused as to why such a popular amenity, which has been available for many years without incident, and provides benefit to hundreds of people and our community as a whole, has been so suddenly removed.”

The Celtic Manor says the public has been led to believe the path is a public footpath when it is a permissive path, meaning its use is allowed and controlled by the resort.

This permission is what the Celtic Manor wants to withdraw from the original planning consent it was given for the path, and the Ryder Cup golf course, in 2001.

There are no plans to make the path a public right of way, with plans to link with the Sustrans cycling network long since abandoned.

The planning application is now expected to go before the committee at their next meeting on May 1.