Public Right of Way

When you apply for planning permission, you need to check whether your proposed plan will affect a public right of way.  A ‘Public Right of Way’ (PROW) could be a pavement, footpath or a road.

If your development does affect a public right of way, we may be able to make a Public Path Order (PPO), this would allow the diversion of a public way. We'll refuse applications when a diversion isn’t possible.

For best practice, follow this checklist

• Take account of national and local planning guidance.
• Check if a PROW, claim or anomaly affects the development site.
• Consider if new PROW can be incorporated.
• Design the layout to take account of any existing PROW.
• Leave sufficient time to implement changes to PROW.
• Talk to Officers to ensure best practice is followed.

Read the legislation on Public Rights of Way.