Notice of modification order Wetherby bridleway no. 46

This order is made by Leeds City Council under Section 53(2) (b) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 ('the Act') because it appears to that authority that the West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council (Modified) Definitive Map and Statement (Leeds Metropolitan District) requires modification in consequence of the occurrence of an event specified in Section 53 (3)(c)(i) of the Act, namely the discovery of evidence which shows that rights of way not shown in the map and statement subsist or are reasonably alleged to subsist.

The authority have consulted with every local authority whose area includes land to which the order relates.

The Leeds City Council hereby order that:

1. For the purposes of this order the relevant date is 27 November 2025.

2. The West Yorkshire Metropolitan County Council (Modified) Definitive Map and Statement (Leeds Metropolitan District) shall be modified as described in Part I and Part 11 of the Schedule and shown on the map attached to the order.

3. This order shall take effect on the date it is confirmed and may be cited as the Leeds City Council (Wetherby Bridleway No. 46) Modification Order 2026.

Description of the path or way to be added

A bridleway commencing from a Point A, SE 4227 4974, at the junction with existing Wetherby bridleway nos. 6 and 9, and proceeding in a north-easterly direction for a distance of approximately 651 metres along a tarmac surface to a Point B, SE 4283 5005, thence proceeding in a north-easterly then easterly then north-easterly direction for a distance of approximately 603 metres along a roughly metalled surface to a Point C, SE 4339 5016 at the Leeds District and County boundary with North Yorkshire, as shown on the Order Map and having a width of 3.5 metres.

This statement does not form part of the order

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.

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 29 October 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.