Public Rights of Way
The Definitive Map and Statement - Recording and Changing
Public Rights of Way
At the core of the Team’s work are two documents called the
Definitive Map and the Definitive Statement (collectively known as
the DMS). The DMS provides conclusive legal proof of the existence
of a PROW. The Council is responsible for keeping the Map and
Statement up to date and correcting any errors or omissions by
means of a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO).
It is possible for any member of the public to apply for a DMMO
to be made where they have sufficient evidence that:
- A path has not been shown on the DMS that should have
been,
- A path has been shown on the DMS which should not have
been,
- A path has been shown on the DMS but with the wrong status
or alignment
- Other details about a path shown on the DMS are incorrect or
missing
Applications are made following a procedure set out in Schedule
14, Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Whilst there is no cost to
making an application, they can be very complex and take a long
time to resolve. The Natural England booklet “A guide to
definitive maps and changes to public rights of way” (NE112) gives
useful information and may be downloaded from the
Natural England website (external link opens in a new
window).
"The Council will normally process applications for Definitive
Map Modification Orders in chronological order of receipt.
Applications may be dealt with sooner where other factors are
relevant. Examples of such relevant factors might include the age /
health of witnesses able to provide relevant evidence, the
likelihood of the land over which the route runs being developed
and the extent of the effect of the outcome of the application on
the applicants and wider public's enjoyment of the route and land
which is the subject of the application”.
Register of Modification Order Applications
A Register of all such Schedule 14 applications that the Council
has received since 31 December 2005 can be viewed by following the
Register of
Modification order applications link .
It also contains details of earlier applications received
by the Council which were still to be determined by the Council at
that date.
City of Bath Definitive Map Project
There is a special project to create a DMS for the City of Bath
which has never previously had one, for more information follow the
link to
City of Bath Definitive Map Project
The PROW Team also process applications to make Public Path
Orders to divert or extinguish existing PROW under the Highways Act
1980 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as well as
considering requests to create or dedicate new paths. The
Countryside Agency booklet “A guide to definitive maps and changes
to public rights of way” (CA 142) also gives information on these
procedures.
If you would like to discuss a specific request regarding a
Definitive Map Modification Order or a Public Path Order please do
not hesitate to contact the Public Rights of Way team via the
contact details given on this page.
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