AN order to close a public footpath at St Dogmaels has been approved.

The footpath at Water Street goes down the steps from the B4546 and Pembrokeshire County Council wanted to close it so that defences can be installed to protect a young family’s home at Penally Mews from flooding.

The ‘stopping-up’ order on the footpath drawn up by council officers was presented before magistrates at Haverfordwest on Monday and with no objections, was approved.

The council successfully argued that people can use another section of path that runs adjacent to the one in question.

The long-running issue attracted huge interest in the village and last October the Community Council voted unanimously to support the proposed closure. It then took a further 12 months to get the closure order before the courts.

It is now hoped Dwr Cymru will begin work to install the flood defences.