Rights of way

You should have discussions with the council early on if any proposed development will obstruct a public path crossing your property. Any planning permission granted will not give you the right to interfere with, obstruct or move the path. A path cannot legally be closed or diverted unless the council has made an order to close or divert it in order to allow the development to go ahead. The order must be advertised and anyone may object. You must not obstruct the path until any objections have been taken into account and the order has been confirmed. You should remember that confirmation is not automatic; for example, an alternative line for the path might be proposed.