Public rights of way and definitive maps

Copyright © 2025 LexisNexis

Public rights of way (PROW) are highways that allow the public a legal right of passage. They have the same status and protection in law as highways and remain in existence until legally closed, diverted or extinguished. It is a criminal offence to obstruct a PROW. See Practice Note: Public rights of way.

Early identification of PROW can help to avoid potential delays to development or difficulties in selling properties. Local authorities are under a legal duty to keep all PROW open and maintained in a safe condition for public use.

Types of PROW

The common types of PROW are:

  1. •

    footpath—for use on foot and mobility vehicles (eg pushchairs and wheelchairs) only

  2. •

    bridleway—for use on foot, horse and cycle

  3. •

    byway open to all traffic (BOAT)—for use on foot, horse, cycle, motorised and non-motorised vehicles

  4. •

    restricted byway—for use on foot, horse, cycle and for vehicles other than mechanically propelled vehicles

The Definitive Map

The Definitive Map is a map prepared by a local authority which is a legal record of PROW in a specified area. If a PROW is shown

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Existing user? Sign-in TAKE A FREE TRIAL
Powered by Lexis+®
Latest Planning News

Welsh Government publishes guidance on dark skies conservation planning

The Welsh Government has published national good practice guidance on planning for the conservation and enhancement of dark skies in Wales. This guidance aims to enhance understanding of how to conserve and improve dark skies through effective planning and design. It supports existing national and local planning policies on dark skies and light pollution and is designed to assist government bodies, local authorities, developers, and other stakeholders, in reviewing, shaping, and determining planning applications related to lighting and dark sky preservation. It also provides practical advice on designing and assessing lighting schemes that preserve dark skies and highlights examples of both poor and improved lighting design practices.

Planning weekly highlights—20 February 2025

This week's edition of Planning weekly highlights includes: a case in which the Court of Appeal concluded that there was ‘no legal distinction’ between online planning practice guidance and the National Planning Policy Framework (Mead Realisations v SSHCLG); an announcement from the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, regarding the next generation of new towns; a written submission to the Supreme Court published by the Office for Environmental Protection in relation to the Habitats Regulations; confirmation, and draft legislation in respect, of two new routes for Crown bodies to apply for planning permission; and new guidance published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding funding that supports local authorities at the regulation 18 stage of the local plan making process.

RPA publishes response to consultation on regulatory approach to hedgerow management

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has published the response to its October 2024 consultation on a proposed regulatory approach to hedgerow management. The consultation addressed various aspects of the approach, such as appeals and enforcement actions. Although most respondents supported the RPA’s advice and guidance led enforcement approach, some expressed concerns that it could weaken hedgerow protection compared to previous enforcement measures linked to scheme payments. In response, the RPA has updated its statutory guidance, clarifying that civil and criminal sanctions will be applied for first offences in serious cases and provided clearer examples to illustrate when and where different types of enforcement actions might be taken.

OEP publishes written submission for Supreme Court case on Habitats Regulations

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has published its written submission for the Supreme Court case of CG Fry & Son Ltd v Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Somerset Council [2024] EWCA Civ 730, which was scheduled for hearing on 17-18 February 2025. The OEP’s intervention seeks to clarify the interpretation of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, 2017/1012 (Habitats Regulations) to ensure they continue to fulfil their purpose of environmental protection. This case concerns a Planning Inspector's decisions regarding the discharge of conditions for a large development of residential, commercial, and community uses in Wellington, Somerset, with previous courts confirming the need for an assessment under the Habits Regulations.

View Planning by content type :  
News
Practice notes
Precedents
Q&As

Popular documents

Where a highway authority exercises its power under section 154(4) of the Highways Act 1980 to undertake

Where a highway authority exercises its power under section 154(4) of the Highways Act 1980 to undertake work to cut or fell overhanging trees to remove a danger or obstruction, must the authority return any branches or arisings from the work to the tree owner in order to avoid a claim of conversion

A developer is entering into an agreement under section 278 of the Highways Act 1980, pursuant to a

A developer is entering into an agreement under section 278 of the Highways Act 1980, pursuant to a condition under a planning permission. The works covered by the agreement are entirely within highway running along the application site. The developer is the owner of the application site, but the

What rights of access do gas companies enjoy for the purpose of maintenance and repair of utility

What rights of access do gas companies enjoy for the purpose of maintenance and repair of utility installations?Gas companies’ rights to enter premises for maintenance and repair are statutory rights, mainly from the Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954 (RE(GEB)A 1954), the Gas Act

Where a roadway is adopted by the local highways authority, can it also form part of an individual

Where a roadway is adopted by the local highways authority, can it also form part of an individual property owner's registered title? What is the effect if a way is both adopted but also shown as within a registered title to a residential property?Where a roadway is adopted by the local highways
Where a highway authority exercises its power under section 154(4) of the Highways Act 1980 to undertake

Where a highway authority exercises its power under section 154(4) of the Highways Act 1980 to undertake

Where a highway authority exercises its power under section 154(4) of the Highways Act 1980 to undertake work to cut or fell overhanging trees to remove a danger or obstruction, must the authority return any branches or arisings from the work to the tree owner in order to avoid a claim of conversion

A developer is entering into an agreement under section 278 of the Highways Act 1980, pursuant to a

A developer is entering into an agreement under section 278 of the Highways Act 1980, pursuant to a

A developer is entering into an agreement under section 278 of the Highways Act 1980, pursuant to a condition under a planning permission. The works covered by the agreement are entirely within highway running along the application site. The developer is the owner of the application site, but the

What rights of access do gas companies enjoy for the purpose of maintenance and repair of utility

What rights of access do gas companies enjoy for the purpose of maintenance and repair of utility

What rights of access do gas companies enjoy for the purpose of maintenance and repair of utility installations?Gas companies’ rights to enter premises for maintenance and repair are statutory rights, mainly from the Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954 (RE(GEB)A 1954), the Gas Act

Where a roadway is adopted by the local highways authority, can it also form part of an individual

Where a roadway is adopted by the local highways authority, can it also form part of an individual

Where a roadway is adopted by the local highways authority, can it also form part of an individual property owner's registered title? What is the effect if a way is both adopted but also shown as within a registered title to a residential property?Where a roadway is adopted by the local highways