Footpaths

Footways and bridleways are 'public rights of way'.

This means the public has the right to use them unless they are closed or diverted by law. It is an offence to divert or close a public right of way without lawful authority.

Further information is available from the Countryside service at Oxfordshire County Council on 01865 810226 or by email to: countryside@oxfordshire.gov.uk

The District Council as a planning authority, has the powers to deal with applications to divert or close public rights of way under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The Council must be satisfied that it is necessary for any path to be diverted or extinguished.

The Procedure

On receipt of an application, Legal and democratic services (link in right hand pane) will undertake preliminary consultations with the local parish council, the highway authority, the local district councillor(s), public utilities and local amenity societies, to seek their views. If any objections are raised, the Council will endeavour to resolve the objection with the applicant and the objector prior to making an Order.
A report will then be submitted to the Council's Planning Committee for consideration. If it is approved, the Order will be made, and notice served on the applicant and published in the local press. Notices will also be placed at each end of the path affected and all consultees advised of the making of the Order.Objections can be made to the Order within 6 weeks from the date of publication of the notice. At the end of this period, provided no objection has been raised, the Council may confirm the Order.
If any objections to the Order are received following publication of the notice, the Council cannot confirm the Order and must submit it to the Secretary of State for determination. This situation may lead to the holding of a public inquiry.
When the Order is confirmed, a further notice will be published in the local press and at each end of the path advising that diversion or closure can take place.

The Costs

Applicants for diversion/extinguishment orders are required to pay the costs of making an Order. The Council has decided that the maximum costs it will pass on to applicants is £1000.

An indication of the likely costs are as follows:

Notification to interested parties - £125
Posting of notices on site and elsewhere - £125
Research on status and history - £60
Negotiations prior to making Order - £240
Preparation of committee reports - £60
Making an Order (including preparation of notices) - £125
Each additional path - £125
Newspaper advertising costs

For advice on diverting or closing a path, please contact Legal and democratic services (link in right hand pane)

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