Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, Leeds City Council, as the Surveying Authority for the Leeds Metropolitan District has a duty to keep the Definitive Map and Statement under continuous review. Councils are under an obligation to consider fully evidence and, if necessary, make orders to add, delete, amend or reclassify public rights of way. A notice that such an order has been made has to be advertised on the site of the path 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 such an order to add a bridleway. Leeds City Council has made the order because having considered the available evidence including Ordnance Survey mapping, Tithe maps and Apportionments, House of Commons petition, Thomas Jeffrey’s 1775 map and other historic evidence, it believes that a bridleway exists along the route also known as Old Road or Sandbeck Lane. Leeds City Council is satisfied that the order complies with the legal grounds and tests laid down in Section 53(3)(c)(i) of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, namely the discovery of evidence which shows that rights of way not shown on the map and statement subsist or are reasonably alleged to subsist. (Please note that this Order replaces the Leeds City Council (Wetherby Bridleway No.46) Modification Order 2026 previously made on 10 September 2026 which contained an incorrect relevant date).
This evidence may be consulted free of charge at Farnley Hall, Hall Lane, Leeds LS12 5HA between 10am to 5pm, Mondays to Fridays. Please make an appointment by calling 0113 535 2667 or via email: prow@leeds.gov.uk.
Objections or representations relating to the order must be made in writing by 21 December 2026 to the address given in the Notice. To be relevant, objections or representations should relate to the question of the existence or status of rights of way; other objections or representations (for example, suitability, desirability, security, safety or maintenance) may be held to be irrelevant.
The City Council will be willing to discuss the concerns of those considering objecting or making representations relating to the order. Please contact The Definitive Map officer, at Public Rights of Way Section, Climate Energy and Green Spaces, Farnley Hall, Hall Lane, Leeds LS12 5HA or by email: prow@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 535 2667.
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 only in cases of unreasonable behaviour.
If there are no objections to the order, or if any made are withdrawn, the City Council may confirm the order, and the Definitive Map and Statement will then be modified. If there are any objections which are not withdrawn, the City Council must refer the order and objections to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Department will appoint an independent Inspector to consider the order and hear the objections, normally by holding a public inquiry. The Inspector may confirm the order, with or without modifications, or may decide that the order should not be confirmed.