Public Rights of Way

How to change the Definitive Map

The Definitive Map is a legal record of the public's rights of way. If a footpath or a bridleway or a byway open to all traffic is shown on the Map then that is conclusive evidence of public rights along it (unless there has been a legally authorised change).

However, the Map may not show all the public's rights along a way, or there may be rights which are incorrectly recorded.

The Definitive Map can be changed if evidence of missing rights of way is discovered, or if there are errors in previously recorded information. Anyone can ask the County Council to consider changing the Map. There is a specific procedure to follow which is summarised below. Advice is available from the Countryside Service to help you with your application.

The first step is to check your facts. What does the Definitive Map show in the area you are interested in? This information can be obtained from the Countryside Service. If you then think that the Map is wrong in any way you can contact Anne Taylor (01772 534608) who will be able to discuss what your options are. One of these may be to ask the County Council to change the Map by means of a Definitive Map Modification Order - a DMMO.

If you wish to ask for a DMMO to be made, the County Council has produced an application form for you to fill in. Before you send the form back, you will need to gather evidence in support of your case. Depending on what your application relates to, you may need to look at old maps and plans in local libraries or the County Record Office, to collect evidence of use of the path over a long period of time or to talk to local residents and landowners. You will need to find out who owns the land in question because you will have to send them a copy of your application to keep them informed and to give them the opportunity to express their views on your proposal to the County Council.

The application form contains information about how to fill it in, and there is also a useful leaflet produced by the government ('A Guide to Definitive Map Procedures') which we can send you which explains the whole procedure in detail, and provides a list of useful organisations that can also help.