The Regulatory Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Wednesday 9 September 2026 to discuss several matters relating to public rights of way. Key decisions included the addition of a restricted byway along Sandy Lane in Mawdesley, the correction of a footpath alignment in Poulton-le-Fylde, and the classification of Alder Lane in Out Rawcliffe as a restricted byway. The committee also rejected an application to upgrade a footpath on Worsthorne Moor to a bridleway and decided to take a neutral stance on the confirmation of a restricted byway order for Vicarage Fold in Wiswell.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Definitive Map Investigation: Addition of Restricted Byway along Sandy Lane, Mawdesley

The committee accepted an application in part to add a restricted byway along Sandy Lane, Mawdesley, from point A to D. This decision was based on the assessment that there was sufficient historical evidence to suggest public vehicular rights existed along this section. However, the application to upgrade the footpath from Blackmoor Road to Sandy Lane (points C to E) to a bridleway was rejected due to insufficient evidence of higher public rights. The committee resolved to make a Definitive Map Modification Order for the restricted byway and promote it for confirmation.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Definitive Map Investigation: Addition of Bridleway over Alder Lane, Out Rawcliffe

An application to add a bridleway over Alder Lane, Out Rawcliffe, was accepted in part, with the committee resolving to record the route as a restricted byway rather than a bridleway. This decision was based on the assessment that while historical evidence suggested public carriageway rights existed from at least the early 19th century, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 would have extinguished rights for mechanically propelled vehicles. The committee resolved to make a Definitive Map Modification Order to record Alder Lane as a restricted byway and promote it for confirmation.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Definitive Map Investigation: Addition and deletion of footpath off Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde

The committee resolved to make a Definitive Map Modification Order to correct the alignment of a footpath off Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde. This involved deleting a section of footpath (points A to B) that was deemed to have been incorrectly recorded due to a drafting error, and adding the correct alignment (points C to B and D to E). The order will be promoted for confirmation.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Definitive Map Investigation: Bridleway on Worsthorne Moor from Cant Clough Reservoir to West Yorkshire Boundary

An application to upgrade a footpath on Worsthorne Moor to a bridleway was rejected. The committee resolved not to make a Definitive Map Modification Order. The decision was based on the Investigating Officer's conclusion that while a route may have historically existed, the evidence did not support it being along the applied-for alignment, and recent evidence was insufficient to meet the tests for upgrading the existing footpath.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 – The Lancashire County Council Restricted Byway over Vicarage Fold, Wiswell Definitive Map Modification Order 2025

The committee decided to take a neutral stance when submitting the Definitive Map Modification Order for Vicarage Fold, Wiswell, to the Planning Inspectorate for final decision. This decision was made despite the initial assessment that there was sufficient evidence to make the order, as additional evidence received following the order's advertisement was considered insufficient to meet the higher test for confirmation on the balance of probabilities.

Addition of Bridleway on Salterforth Lane, Salterforth, Pendle Borough – Stance on Confirmation of Definitive Map Modification Order

The committee resolved to instruct the Order Making Authority to submit the Definitive Map Modification Order for Salterforth Lane to the Planning Inspectorate for determination, requesting that it be modified to record a byway open to all traffic (BOAT) instead of a bridleway. This decision was based on further investigations and consideration of evidence, including highway records listing the route as an unclassified county road and its inclusion on Bartholomew's maps, which added weight to the evidence of public vehicular rights.

Progress Report on Previous Committee Items

The committee noted the progress made on definitive map modification orders and public path orders since the previous meeting. This included updates on orders submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, orders confirmed by the Planning Inspectorate, and notices of confirmation published.

Guidance

The committee noted the guidance on the law relating to the continuous review of the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way and certain Orders to be made under the Highways Act 1980.

Minutes of the last Meeting held on 3 June 2026

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 June 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.