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Original poster

Is it possible to re route a Public Footpath?

19 replies

Monkeybar · 31/01/2007 23:04

Not sure if this is the right topic to post under, but here goes...

My dh and I have got our eyes on a farmhouse, which is due to be up for sale in the next year or so according to local rumour. Unfortunately there is a public footpath that runs right through the middle of the yard. As I have a small ds and hope for at least 1 more dc, I would like to get the footpath diverted around the outside of the yard if at all possible, so that my children can safely play in the yard, without all and sundry having the right to walk through it. I have heard that ramblers can be a fairly militant bunch where this sort of thing is concerned and they would probably not allow this to be done. I wondered why that was, and if there was any good way to approach the subject and with who?

OP posts:
Skribble · 31/01/2007 23:07

Mhh me think the wooly sock brigade would string you up, if it is not a big long diversion I would be nice to think you could move it over slightly, but in reality it might be difficult. Is it well used?

edam · 31/01/2007 23:10

I'm sure I've heard somewhere that this is possible - maybe your local planning office could help or put you in touch with whoever is responsible for footpaths?

Original poster
Monkeybar · 31/01/2007 23:12

It is fairly well used, unfortunately, although it doesn't actually join places iyswim, it goes from a main road to a country road through the yard, not from a village to another village or anything.

I thought the whole point of going out rambling was that you got fresh air and exercise, so a bit of extra footpath for free should go down a treat, shouldn't it?

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Original poster
Monkeybar · 31/01/2007 23:14

Hadn't thought of the planning office. Hadn;t really thought of much to be honest, as it's all a bit hypothetical at the moment. The house is a far less attractive dream if the path has to stay

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EllieKwithabigbump · 31/01/2007 23:27

it is possible, but there have to be convincing arguments and it has to go somewhere so if that puts it onto someone elses land they would have to agree. a school near us had a footpath diverted as it went right past the dormitries, however they are a private school and quite possibly paid for the privilege

BadHair · 31/01/2007 23:59

Think it can be done but it's really difficult. There is a public footpath running along the back of my parents' garden, which is tiny. The footpath is only ever used by teenagers to fight, shag and shit in after dark, as there is a much shorter and better lit route round the front of the houses that any sane person uses.

However, the village/parish council flatly refuses to consider closing or altering the rear path as they claim it's an ancient right of way and should be preserved. So the teenagers get exclusive use of an outdated and unnecessary path, and continue to sling their condoms, poo and fags into the back gardens, just to keep the parish councillors happy. Needless to say, these councillors do not live anywhere near the footpath!

colditz · 01/02/2007 00:01

The Stout Booters will not stand for it.

Original poster
Monkeybar · 02/02/2007 09:40

EllieK I was hoping that I could use the arguement that it wasn't safe for my young children to be allowed to freely play in their own back yard when all manner of people have the right to be wandering through there at any time of the day or night(although I know that the majority of walkers are fine, upstanding members of the community).
I know that there are lots of people who would protest just for the sake of it, but surely, if a sensible alternative is offered, then there should be some compromise that could be reached, hopefully. Apprently a previous occupant had the option to move the path in the past and declined, which may work in our favour, hopefully!

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EllieKwithabigbump · 02/02/2007 16:49

sounds positive! they might argue that you chose to buy the house knowing that the path was there, and so it was your choice to put dc's at risk IYSWIM
i'd take the approach of investigating as much as you can now, so that if and when the property becomes available you have a clearer idea of the likelyhood of success

sophiewd · 02/02/2007 16:55

You will most probably end up in court. Madoona tried to get a footpath which ran in front of her house diverted and lost.

MamaGrr · 02/02/2007 16:57

My BIL had a right of way moved on his farm. His is a working farm though and the present route was dangerous - still gets ramblers trying to climb over his large gates, holding old maps though

EllieKwithabigbump · 02/02/2007 17:20

but claudia schiffer managed to get hers diverted, maybe it's just a suffolk thing, we must be more easy-going

MamaGrr · 02/02/2007 17:22

sorry, meant to say he still does have a path through his land, just in a different safer place

(claudia schiffer isn't my SIL tho)

EllieKwithabigbump · 02/02/2007 17:24

just as well, that would be a nightmare to live up to! they do have a very nice house tho, and they sponsor the local football team maybe that's how they got it diverted

MrsBadger · 02/02/2007 17:32

hmm - pil have a right of way running through their front garden, to the gate of the field at the top of their drive.

No-one uses it because they've let the hedge grow right over the sign and the stile into the garden, and maintain well (and visibly) the sign and stile at the field gate, so people assume that the drive is the right of way, and just walk straight up it, over the stile and into the field.

Their drive is less than 5m from the real right of way though, so you'd need a very good map to tell the difference...

Original poster
Monkeybar · 02/02/2007 22:57

Thanks to all for your replies and suggestions. I will have a good dig around regarding what the likely objections will be and go from there. Perhaps I should go undercover and join the local ramblers to try to sway opinion from the inside

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LunarSea · 03/02/2007 10:25

It is theoretically possible if it isn't a significant diversion and/or it adds value to the path, e.g removes the need to negotiate fences or stiles so increasing accessibility. Still doesn't stop people objecting though.

Have a look here for an idea of the process (your local council will probably have something similar).

JanH · 03/02/2007 11:34

This from Swansea says £3500 per application.

There's a path near us that used to go along the river and has been diverted away from it, but I don't know if that was for personal or environmental reasons - DH said it was reported in the local paper. Further along the path does go through a farm - its garden is walled but there are farm buildings the other side of the path (when we walked along there I was sort-of nipped by a farm dog )

Original poster
Monkeybar · 04/02/2007 23:13

Thanks for the links, very helpful (once I got my head round the flowery language!)

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