Suffolk Coastal carries out informal consultations on all
applications to create, divert or extinguish footpaths and
bridleways before deciding whether to make a public
path order. Proposals are often altered as a result of
consultations and the Council is keen for applicants and consultees
to reach agreement wherever possible. Opposed applications, or
those that do not appear to meet the statutory criteria, are
determined by the Council's Rights of Way Committee.
What does the Rights of Way Committee do?
The Rights of Way Committee meets on an ad hoc basis, as and
when it is needed to make decisions. The main role of the Rights of
Way Committee is to consider:
- applications to create, divert or extinguish public footpaths
or bridleways to which there has been objection during the
consultation process or which may not meet the relevant legal
criteria
- public path orders to which there has been objection
If the committee is considering one of the above we will send a
letter to everyone who has expressed an interest in the matter -
whether it was an objection or in support - letting them know when
and where the Rights of Way Committee will be meeting to discuss
the matter. We will also send everyone a copy of the agenda for the
meeting.
What happens at the Rights of Way Committee meeting?
At the meeting there will be the chance for one person from each
of the following groups to speak:
- objector
- interested party
- applicant (or an agent on their behalf )
- other landowners or land occupiers affected by the change
- local town or parish council
- local district councillor
In exceptional cases, more than one town or parish council may
be allowed to speak, if the proposal has a significant effect on
more than one parish. More than one objector or interested party
may also be allowed to speak, but only where it is clear that
conflicting views cannot be effectively presented by one speaker.
Our guide to speaking at Rights of Way Committee
(PDF 31KB) meetings explains the process in more detail and
what you have to do if you want to speak.
How decisions are made
The Highways Act 1980 and the
Town & County Planning Act 1990 both lay
down precise criteria to be met for the making and confirmation
of public path orders. The legislation is supplemented by
advice contained in Department of Environment Circular 2/93
“Public Rights of Way” and other circulars and regulations. The
basic premise is to ensure that appropriate balanced
consideration is given to the impact of changes to the network
upon both the landowner’s/occupier’s interests and the public’s
right.
Changes that affect the right of the public to cross private
land and can be contentious and the subject of impassioned debate.
Because of this it is important that the system of making decisions
on changes to the public rights of way network is seen to be open
and impartial, consisting of sound judgements made for justifiable
reasons. To this end Suffolk Coastal has a
code of practice (PDF 80KB) that sets out
clearly the way in which applications are dealt with including
the consultation process; the roles of Council members and
officers; committee procedures; site visits and what you should
do in the event of a complaint.
More information
Follow the links below to find out the current membership of the
Rights of Way Committee, when the committee next meets and the
agendas and minutes past meetings.
Current membership of the Rights of Way
Committee
Calendar of committee meetings
Committee minutes and agendas
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