Definitive map and statement

The definitive map shows their location and the statement records status, description, width, length, structures and surface.

Public right of way map

You can view the Leeds public right of way map online.

Definitive paths are shown in black. Claimed paths are shown in green but require investigating and many are not available for use.

Changing the definitive map and statement

Unrecorded paths can be added to the map by a Definitive Map Modification Order (DMMO). Anyone can apply for an order but it must be supported by documentary evidence or evidence of use without interruption for 20 years.

Public paths can be diverted, created, or extinguished by Public Path Orders (PPO). If affected by development, orders are made under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Under the Highways Act 1980, paths can be diverted to benefit the landowner, created where needed, or extinguished if not needed.

Public Rights of Way can only be extinguished by a legal order or by direction of the Court.

DMMO - Investigating a new public right of way

It is possible for public rights of way to be added to the Definitive Map and Statement if evidence is available to reasonably allege that a right of way exists. Members of the public can submit an application for a DMMO to add a route to the definitive map, under the provisions of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act.

In the first instance, please contact PROW@leeds.gov.uk with a map showing the route you wish to claim. This will allow us to check if the route is already a public right of way or subject to an existing DMMO application. Once this has been ascertained, we can provide further guidance as to the process to submit an application and provide the relevant application forms. Please be advised that an application must be supported by evidence (either user evidence or documentary evidence), which the applicant must collate. The applicant must also serve notice on all affected landowners and occupiers.

When the application is investigated, all relevant available evidence (whether for, or against the existence of a public right of way) will need to be considered to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to reasonably allege that a public right of way subsists. Evidence from both historic and user sources is required to be considered and this inevitably takes time. We currently have a significant backlog of applications which are broadly investigated in chronological order and, as such, it will likely be a number of years before an application is investigated.

Current DMMO applications

#	Date	Application	Claim
1	Dec 2003	Boat Lane, Pitt Lane, Cutler Lane, Riverside Path, Wilsons Row, Methley etc	Add various footpaths and byways
2	Aug 2004	Fulneck, Bankhouse to Hare Lane, Pudsey	Add a bridleway
3	Oct 2004	Vickersdale to Arthur Street and Half Mile	Add a footpath
4	Feb 2005	Whitehall Road to New Lane, Drighlington	Add a footpath
5	Apr 2005	Tile Lane to Long Causeway, Adel	Add a footpath
6	Jun 2005	Half Mile to Farsley Beck/footpath 20222	Add a footpath
7	Aug 2005	Newhold, Ash Lane to Aberford Road, Garforth	Add a footpath
8	Apr 2006	Tyersal Lane to Pudsey 38 Old Reservoirs	Add a footpath
9	Sep 2006	The Piggaries, Bath Lane to Railsfield Rise, Bramley	Add a footpath
10	Aug 2007	Andrew Hill, Morley 44 16 (Reedsdale Gds)	Add a footpath
11	Jan 2008	Cliff Road, Headingley	Add a footpath
12	Jun 2008	Broadway to Stanhope Drive, Horsforth	Add a footpath
13	Feb 2009	South Park Mill, Hare Lane to footpath 59, Pudsey	Add a footpath
14	Jun 2009	Scotland Lane to Brownberrie Drive, Horsforth	Add a bridleway and upgrade footpath to bridleway
15	Nov 2009	Sandbeck Lane into N. Yorkshire, Bickerton	Add a bridleway
16	Dec 2009	South Queen Street to St. Paul's Street, Morley	Add a footpath
17	Mar 2010	Ledston Quarry footpath 5 to footpath 10 to footpath 11 and footpath 12	Add various footpaths
18	Jan 2012	Butcher Hill to Spen Crescent/Approach	Add various footpaths
19	May 2012	Grange View to Mercure Hotel, Wetherby	Add a footpath
20	Mar 2014	Wild Grove, Pudsey	Add a bridleway
21	May 2014	Wilderness Car park, Wetherby	Add a footpath
22	Jun 2014	Woodhouse Cliffe to Woodhouse Ridge	Add a footpath
23	Aug 2014	East Busk Lane, Otley	Add a footpath
24	Sep 2014	Nidd Approach, Wetherby	Add a footpath
25	Oct 2014	Jasmine Cottage	Add a footpath
26	Nov 2014	Crowcroft Bank Wetherby 37 19/20/44	Add a footpath
27	Dec 2014	Garmont Road to Potternewton Lane	Add a footpath
28	Apr 2015	King Lane into Adel Woods	Add a footpath
29	Aug 2015	Stonedene	Add a footpath
30	Aug 2015	Moseley Wood Gardens/ Croft to Horsforth No. 12	Add a footpath
31	Feb 2016	Cross St to Sycamore Avenue	Add a footpath
32	Feb 2016	Disused Railway Line Barwick Road to Wood Lane Scholes	Add a bridleway
33	May 2016	Sunfield to Bradford Road, Stanningley	Add a footpath
34	Jul 2016	Cliff Lane to Grosvenor Road, Headingley	Add a footpath
35	Jul 2016	Leeds footpath 86 to Grosvenor Road, Headingley	Add a footpath
36	Feb 2017	Lakeside Chase to Aireborough footpath No. 135	Add a footpath
37	Jun 2017	Morley 112 & 75 Upgrade to bridleway	Upgrade footpaths to bridleways
38	Nov 2017	Disused Railway The Approach to Thorner footpath No. 14	Add a bridleway
39	Feb 2018	Hougley Lane to Kings Approach	Add a footpath
40	Apr 2018	Victoria Crescent to Victoria Avenue, Horsforth	Add a footpath
41	May 2019	Sturton Lane to Aberford Road	Add a byway open to all traffic
42	Nov 2019	White Bridge to Otley bridleway No. 7, Otley	Add a footpath
43	Nov 2019	Otley bridleway No. 7 to Knotford Nook, Otley	Add two footpaths
44	Nov 2019	Five paths in a field off Parklands/Moor Lane Bramhope	Add five footpaths
45	Dec 2019	Harewood bridleway 12 to All Saint's Church	Add a footpath
46	May 2020	Flint Mill Lane, Thorpe Arch 4 & Wetherby 44	Add a bridleway
47	May 2020	Wood Lane to the Buffers Disused Railway Line	Add a bridleway
48	Mar 2021	Highbury Cricket Ground (2 Applications)	Add various footpaths
49	Sep 2021	Lidgett Lane to Princess Avenue	Add various footpaths
50	Oct 2021	Bright Street to Morley 73	Add a footpath
51	Jan 2022	Bramhope Primary School	Add a footpath
52	Feb 2022	Pudsey 60 61 Tyersal Embankment	Add a footpath
53	Feb 2022	Lowtown to Mount Pleasant, Pudsey	Add a footpath
54	Jun 2022	Camp Road, The Sycamores, Bramhope	Add a bridleway
55	Jun 2022	Camp Road/ The Sycamores, Bramhope	Add a bridleway
56	Jun 2022	Tyersal Terrace to Tyersal Avenue	Add a footpath
57	Jul 2022	Saville Court to Whiteley Croft Close	Add a footpath
58	Aug 2022	Woodlands Drive to Cliffe Drive	Add a bridleway
59	Feb 2023	Willow Avenue to Clifford Moor Road	Add a footpath
60	May 2023	Wetherby Road to Bay Horse Lane	Add a bridleway
61	Sep 2023	Abbey Road to Butcher Hill	Add a footpath
62	July 2025	Park Close, Drighlington	Add a footpath

Notice of public path orders

Statutory declarations

Landowners can deposit a statement and map under section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980 indicating any rights of way over their land and then make a make a statutory declaration to the effect that no additional rights of way exist.

You can read the Register of Statutory Declarations and Town and Village Green Landowner Statements or alternatively, visit our offices to view the paper copy.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan forms a ten year management plan setting out areas for consideration with regard to how the council proposes to develop and improve the public rights of way network in Leeds for walkers, horse riders, pedal cyclists and those with visual or mobility impairments.

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan was published in 2009, in accordance with the requirements of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and is currently under review. It contains both broad Statements of Action and an Action Plan to guide service delivery in this respect.

If you would like a copy of the plan by email, please contact the Public Rights of Way team on PROW@leeds.gov.uk.

Town and village greens

You can find guidance on how to register town and village greens on the GOV.UK website.