The Countryside and Rights of Way Panel met on Friday 12 June 2026, confirming minutes from a previous meeting and making decisions on three applications concerning public rights of way. The panel approved the addition of a public bridleway on Bridle Road in Stafford and a public footpath between Park Lane and Bonehill Canal Bridge in Fazeley Parish. However, an application for a public footpath from Salts Lane to Drayton Brick Bridge in Drayton Bassett was rejected.

Addition of a Public Bridleway on Bridle Road, Stafford

The panel approved the addition of a public bridleway along an unmade section of Bridle Road in Stafford. The application, originally submitted in August 1995, was based on evidence of public use. Officers concluded that the legal test had been satisfied, with sufficient evidence to conclude that a public right of way subsists along the claimed route. While user evidence primarily supported a public footpath, historical evidence, including an 1832 quarter-sessions order for a diversion of a public right-of-way onto the claimed route, supported the inference of higher rights. Concerns raised by current residents regarding maintenance, safety, and private vehicle access were addressed by officers, who confirmed the Highway Authority's responsibility for maintenance of public rights-of-way and stated that private access rights would not be affected.

Addition of a Public Footpath between Park Lane and Bonehill Canal Bridge, Fazeley Parish

An application to add a public footpath between an unadopted section of Park Lane and Bonehill Canal Bridge in Fazeley Parish was accepted, with an order to be made to add the alleged public footpath to the definitive map and statement. The application, submitted in November 2021, was supported by 31 user evidence forms, with 22 users reporting use on foot during the relevant 20-year period. Despite a detailed objection from landowners represented by Anson's solicitors, who argued the process was unfair and the evidence insufficient, the council maintained its recommendation. Councillor Farrell, who lives on Park Lane, supported the officer's recommendation but raised concerns about the current alignment of the route, which now passes through a garden and past a landowner's front door. Officers explained that the current application was to determine if rights existed in 2021, and a diversion could be considered later if the rights were proven.

Rejection of Application for Public Footpath from Salts Lane to Drayton Brick Bridge, Drayton Bassett

The panel rejected an application for a public footpath from the A4091 opposite Salts Lane to Drayton Brick Bridge and access to the canal towpath in Drayton Bassett. The application was initially considered strong, with over 100 witness statements. However, officers reversed their initial recommendation for acceptance due to the admission of a locked gate on the route from at least 2001, which rendered subsequent evidence ineffectual. Further evidence from landowners indicated the presence of earlier gates and consistent challenges to public use, including verbal challenges and the granting of permissions. Officers concluded that the evidence demonstrated a strong intention not to dedicate the route as a public right-of-way, and therefore, even on the lower test of reasonable allegation, a public right of way did not subsist. Councillor Farrell, representing the local division, argued that the route had been walked by local residents for many years and expressed concern that its rejection, along with two other impassable footpaths, would leave Drayton Bassett without safe public footpaths. The panel acknowledged the concerns about other impassable routes and agreed to pass these details to the relevant colleagues for enforcement or access issue consideration.