Your local council makes decisions about right of way applications. You can appeal their decision if you applied to change the area’s ‘definitive map and statement’ and either: you disagree with the decision - this is known as a ‘schedule 14 appeal’ your local council did not make a decision within 12 months - this is known as a ‘direction request’ You cannot appeal if: the council approves a different use for the land, for example they make an order for a footpath when you applied for a bridleway you did not submit your original application correctly, for example you did not notify landowners who might be affected by the change There’s no fee for appealing. Only the person who made the application can appeal. If you did not apply, you can comment on an appeal instead. Deadline for appealing You must appeal within 28 days of the date on the decision letter, or 12 months after you submitted the application if your local council has not made a decision. When you can expect a decision Once your appeal is validated , you’ll normally get a decision within 30 weeks.

Make your appeal to the Planning Inspectorate by filling in the appeal form . Write to the Secretary of State if you’re making a direction request. If you want to appeal more than one decision you must make a separate appeal for each. Documents you must provide If you’re appealing a decision You must submit 2 copies of: your original application the reason for your appeal the council’s decision notice any notices you issued while applying, for example to let other landowners know you were applying for a change a map showing the proposed right of way any other documents that directly support your appeal, for example your grounds for appeal confirmation that you’ve notified the local council about your appeal If the local council has not made a decision You must submit 2 copies of: your original application confirmation that you notified the landowners of your original application You can email these documents to rightsofway2@planninginspectorate.gov.uk when you appeal. You can also post them to the Planning Inspectorate. The Planning Inspectorate RoW team 3A Eagle Temple Quay House 2 The Square Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6PN

Anyone can comment on a right of way appeal. Your local council must tell anyone who has commented on the original application (‘interested parties’) that there’s an appeal. The council has to do this within 14 days of the appeal being validated by the Planning Inspectorate.

The Planning Inspectorate will check your appeal to make sure it’s valid. They’ll tell you what happens next and how long your appeal may take. You’ll normally get a decision within 30 weeks (or 21 weeks for a direction request). If you’re successful For appeals, the Planning Inspectorate will tell the council to make the order. There’s no time limit for your local council to do this. For direction requests, the Planning Inspectorate will give the local council a time limit to make a decision on your original application.

If you disagree with the decision

You can challenge the decision in the High Court if you think the Planning Inspectorate made a legal mistake. Get advice from a lawyer if you’re unsure about this.

Appeal a right of way decision

When you can appeal

Your local council makes decisions about right of way applications.

You can appeal their decision if you applied to change the area’s ‘definitive map and statement’ and either:

you disagree with the decision - this is known as a ‘schedule 14 appeal’
your local council did not make a decision within 12 months - this is known as a ‘direction request’

You cannot appeal if:

the council approves a different use for the land, for example they make an order for a footpath when you applied for a bridleway
you did not submit your original application correctly, for example you did not notify landowners who might be affected by the change

There’s no fee for appealing.

Only the person who made the application can appeal. If you did not apply, you can comment on an appeal instead.

Deadline for appealing

You must appeal within 28 days of the date on the decision letter, or 12 months after you submitted the application if your local council has not made a decision.

When you can expect a decision

Once your appeal is validated, you’ll normally get a decision within 30 weeks.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Appeal a right of way decision

When you can appeal

Deadline for appealing

When you can expect a decision

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Appeal a right of way decision

When you can appeal

Deadline for appealing

When you can expect a decision

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