Notice of public path diversion order Horsforth public footpath no. 50

This order is made by Leeds City Council ('the authority') under Section 119 of the Highways Act 1980 ('the 1980 Act') because it appears to the authority that in the interests of the owner and occupiers of the land crossed by the public footpath described in part 1 of the schedule to this order, it is expedient that the line of the path should be diverted.

Horsforth School has agreed to defray any compensation which becomes payable in consequence of the coming into force of this order and any expenses which are incurred in bring the new site of the footpath into a fit condition for use by the public.

By this order:

1. The public right of way over the land situated at Horsforth and shown by a bold continuous line on the map contained in this order and described in part 1 of the schedule to this order shall be stopped up after 28 days from the date of confirmation of this order.

2. There shall at the end of 21 days from the date of confirmation of this order be a public footpath over the land situate at Horsforth described in part 2 of the schedule and shown by a bold broken line on the map contained in this order.

3. The rights conferred on the public under this order shall be subject to the limitations and conditions set out in part 3 of the schedule.

Part 1: Description of site of existing path or way

A public footpath commencing from a Point Z, SE 2359 3836, at the junction with the unaffected section of footpath, north-east of house number 123 Hall Park Avenue, and proceeding for a distance of 64 metres in a north-easterly direction, with a width of 3.5 metres on a concrete slab surface, then in south-easterly direction for a distance of 74 metres, with a width of 2.25 metres on concrete slab surface to a Point Y, SE 2369 3835 at the junction with the unaffected continuation of the footpath, to the north of property numbers 14 to 22 Church Lane.

Part 2: Description of site of new path or way

A public footpath commencing from a Point Z, SE 2359 3836, at the junction with the unaffected section of footpath, north-east of house number 123 Hall Park Avenue and proceeding for a distance of 137 metres in a south-easterly then north-easterly direction on a tarmac surface to a Point Y, SE 2369 3835 at the junction with the unaffected continuation of the footpath, to the north of property numbers 14 to 22 Church Lane. The footpath has a width of 2.0 metres.

Part 3: Limitations and conditions

There will be no new limitations or conditions resulting from this order.

Under the Highways Act 1980, Leeds City Council as the highway authority for Leeds has the power to make orders to create, extinguish (close) or divert public rights of way. A notice that such an order has been made has to be advertised on the site of the path(s) in question and in the local press. This provides an opportunity for objections or representations to be made to the proposed change.

Leeds City Council has made an order to divert part of public footpath Horsforth no. 50. This statement has been prepared to explain various aspects of the order.

Leeds City Council has made the diversion order because it is in the interests of the landowner and occupiers that part of Horsforth footpath no. 50 should be diverted.

Leeds City Council is satisfied that the order complies with the following legal grounds and tests laid down in the Highways Act 1980, Section 119, namely that in the interests of land owners and occupiers it is expedient that the line of the said footpath should be diverted. 

The order will come into effect only after it has been confirmed: making and advertising the order simply provides an opportunity for objections or representations to be made.

Objections or representations relating to the order must be made in writing by 15 October 2026 to Legal Services at the address which is given in the notice.

Leeds City Council will be willing to discuss the concerns of those considering objecting or making representations relating to the order. Anyone wishing to do so may contact the Definitive Map Officer in the Public Rights of Way Section on 0113 378 8625 between 9am and 4pm, Mondays to Fridays inclusive, or by email: prow@leeds.gov.uk.

The right of objection to an order is a statutory right, but it should be exercised in a reasonable manner. The costs involved in dealing with objections to orders may be awarded against objectors in cases of unreasonable behaviour.

If any objections are made and not withdrawn, then the council will have to refer the order to the Department of the Environment for determination. An inspector from the Planning Inspectorate will then hear the objections at a public inquiry or hearing, or in writing if the objectors agree. The inspector can confirm an order, confirm it with modifications, or refuse to confirm it.  If no objections are received or if any objections received are subsequently withdrawn, the council will be able to confirm the order itself but it has no power to modify orders.

Where a new path is being created by a creation or diversion order, the change will come into effect only after a specified period from the date of confirmation to allow time for any necessary works to be undertaken.