A GUIDE TO DEFINITIVE MAPS AND CHANGES TO PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY A GUIDE TO DEFINITIVE MAPS AND CHANGES TO PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY 1 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4 About this guidance................................................................................................................ 4 Definitive maps ...................................................................................................................... 5 Changes to public rights of way............................................................................................. 5 DEFINITIVE MAPS................................................................................................................ 7 2. What is a definitive map? ................................................................................................ 7 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 7 The definitive statement......................................................................................................... 7 The ‘relevant date’ ................................................................................................................. 8 Which ways are included on the definitive map? .................................................................. 8 The four categories of rights of way ...................................................................................... 8 3. What makes a way a public right of way? ..................................................................... 9 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 9 Documentary evidence........................................................................................................... 9 Presumed dedication .............................................................................................................. 9 No intention to dedicate ....................................................................................................... 10 4. Making changes to the definitive map and statement................................................. 12 Definitive map modification orders ..................................................................................... 12 Evidence is the key............................................................................................................... 13 Applying for a modification order ....................................................................................... 14 After the application is made ............................................................................................... 14 Objecting to a modification order ........................................................................................ 15 Amending a modification order ........................................................................................... 16 ‘Legal event’ modification orders........................................................................................ 16 Roads used as public paths, byways open to all traffic and restricted byways.................... 16 CHANGES TO PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY ..................................................................... 19 5. Making changes to public rights of way....................................................................... 19 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 19 Who might want to change the rights of way network?....................................................... 20 Rights of way improvement plans........................................................................................ 20 ‘Access land’........................................................................................................................ 20 What reaction might there be to a proposed change?........................................................... 20 Who decides whether the change should take place? .......................................................... 21 Deciding whether to apply for a public path order............................................................... 21 6. The main types of public path order ............................................................................ 23 Under the Highways Act 1980............................................................................................. 23 Concurrent orders................................................................................................................. 24 The needs of agriculture, forestry and nature conservation ................................................. 25 Code of practice for the creation of new rights of way........................................................ 25 Paths affected by development............................................................................................. 25 7. Other ways of changing rights of way .......................................................................... 27 Other types of order.............................................................................................................. 27 Special diversion and extinguishment orders for school security........................................ 27 Rail crossing orders.............................................................................................................. 28 Creation agreement made by a local authority..................................................................... 29 Code of practice for the creation of new rights of way........................................................ 29 Creation agreement made by a community council............................................................. 29 Restrictions on use of rights of way..................................................................................... 30 PROCEDURES FOR ORDERS ........................................................................................... 32 8. The stages of an order.................................................................................................... 32 Applications ......................................................................................................................... 32 Consultation ......................................................................................................................... 33 Deciding whether to make an order ..................................................................................... 33 Making the order .................................................................................................................. 34 Giving notice........................................................................................................................ 34 Statement of reasons............................................................................................................. 34 Objections............................................................................................................................. 34 Unopposed orders................................................................................................................. 35 Opposed orders..................................................................................................................... 35 At a public inquiry................................................................................................................ 36 At a hearing .......................................................................................................................... 36 Written representations ........................................................................................................ 37 The decision ......................................................................................................................... 37 Modifications to the order.................................................................................................... 37 Confirmation ........................................................................................................................ 37 Challenge in the courts......................................................................................................... 37 Coming into operation of orders .......................................................................................... 38 Amending the definitive map and statement........................................................................ 38 Amending the Ordnance Survey map .................................................................................. 39 Marking the change on the ground....................................................................................... 39 The prescribed bodies........................................................................................................... 39 9. Costs and compensation................................................................................................. 40 Costs of orders...................................................................................................................... 40 Costs at an inquiry or hearing .............................................................................................. 41 Compensation......................................................................................................................