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Regulatory Committee - Wednesday, 12th November, 2025 10.30 am
November 12, 2025 Regulatory Committee View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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The Regulatory Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, to discuss and approve several applications concerning public rights of way. Key decisions included the upgrading of footpaths to bridleways in Whalley and Read, and in Morecambe, as well as the extinguishment and creation of footpaths in Goosnargh and the diversion of a footpath in Aughton.
Upgrading Footpaths to Bridleways
The committee approved recommendations to upgrade several footpaths to bridleways.
Old Coal Staithe, Whalley and Read
An application to upgrade Footpath FP0345046 and FP0334001 along Old Coal Staithe in the parishes of Whalley and Read to a bridleway was approved. The investigation into the route, which is approximately 700 metres long and located north of Great Harwood, involved extensive review of historical maps and documents. While historical evidence suggested the route was capable of being used by horses and vehicles since at least the 1830s, and was linked to coal mining activities and estates such as Morton Hall and Reid Hall, there was no definitive evidence of public use as a bridleway. The officer's conclusion was that, on balance, the route was a private road with public footpath rights. Despite this, the committee approved the recommendation to upgrade it to a bridleway.
Green Lane, Morecambe
The committee also approved the upgrading of a footpath to a bridleway on Green Lane in Morecambe. The investigation concerned the public status of a route currently recorded as a footpath, running between two points on Oxcliffe Road in Heaton-with-Oxcliffe. Historical maps dating back to the late 1700s and early 1800s indicated the route was part of the public vehicle highway network. Although it was recorded as a footpath in the 1950s, highway adoption records and a note on a Section 38 agreement suggested it was considered an ancient highway. The committee concluded that there was strong historical evidence for its dedication as a public carriageway, and as rights had not been legally removed, the maxim once a highway, always a highway
applied.
Footpath Modifications
Several decisions were made regarding the modification of existing footpaths.
Caraway Green, Goosnargh
The committee approved an application for the concurrent extinguishment and creation of footpaths around Caraway Green, Goosnargh, Preston. This involved removing public rights of way through ten private dwellings on the housing estate, from the school field, and across three fields to the north. These were to be replaced by new footpaths connecting the housing estate to Mill Lane, a footpath at the end of Chingle Hall Crescent, and a footpath along a farm access track. The need for these changes arose after houses were built over a public footpath, a situation that was not identified until after the properties were sold. The developer is meeting the costs of rectifying the situation.
Stoneleigh, Dalton
An investigation into the particulars of the public footpath at Stoneleigh, Dalton, was also approved. This concerned a discrepancy between the recorded line of footpath number 20 on the definitive map and its historical alignment. The historical route appeared to be on the east side of a field boundary, passing through the curtilage of Stoneleigh, while the definitive map showed it along the west side. The investigation concluded that the definitive map contained a drafting error, and a modification order was made to record the footpath correctly.
Bowker's Green, Aughton
The committee approved the diversion of part of Footpath FP0804018 at Bowker's Green, Aughton, West Lancashire. The diversion aims to move the path away from an overgrown and difficult-to-pass section near a watercourse and wooded area, to a more accessible route along an arable field and a well-surfaced track leading to an electricity substation.
Progress Report
The committee also received and approved a progress report on previous committee items. This report provided an update on the progress of definitive map modification orders and public path orders since the previous Regulatory Committee meeting in September.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Highways Act 1980 - Section 119 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - Section 53A Diversion of Footpath at Bowker's Green, Aughton
Recommendations ApprovedThe Lancashire Regulatory Committee approved the diversion of Footpath FP0804018 at Bowker's Green, Aughton on 12 November 2025. The decision included making an order to divert the footpath, confirming it if no objections are received, or submitting it to the Secretary of State if objections remain. The applicant agreed to bear all costs for works to bring the new section into use and administrative charges.
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Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Definitive Map Investigation: Upgrading of Footpath to Bridleway along Old Coal Staithe in the parishes of Whalley and Read
Recommendations ApprovedThe Regulatory Committee decided to reject the application to upgrade footpaths FP0345046 and FP0334001 to bridleway status along Old Coal Staithe. This decision was made on 12 November 2025. The committee will not make a Definitive Map Modification Order.
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Highways Act 1980 - Sections 26 and 118 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 - Section 53A Extinguishment and Creation of Footpaths at Caraway Green, Goosnargh
Recommendations ApprovedThe Lancashire Council Regulatory Committee approved the extinguishment and creation of footpaths at Caraway Green, Goosnargh on 12 November 2025. The decision allows for the diversion of existing footpaths to run along estate roads and access tracks, and creates new routes through fields. The applicant will cover all administrative and compensation costs.
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Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Definitive Map Investigation: Upgrading of Footpath to Bridleway on Green Lane, Morecambe
Recommendations ApprovedThe Lancashire Regulatory Committee approved recommendations on 12 November 2025 to upgrade a footpath to a restricted byway on Green Lane, Morecambe. An order will be made to record a restricted byway between points B-C-D-E and F-G-H-I-J and amend the particulars to remove E-F. The order will be promoted to confirmation.
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Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Definitive Map Investigation: Investigation into the particulars of the public footpath at Stoneleigh, Dalton
Recommendations ApprovedThe Lancashire Regulatory Committee approved recommendations on 12/11/2025. The committee agreed to make a Definitive Map Modification Order to record the correct line and particulars of a public footpath at Stoneleigh, Dalton. This includes promoting the order to confirmation if necessary.
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Progress Report on Previous Committee Items
Recommendations ApprovedThe Regulatory Committee of Lancashire Council approved recommendations on 12/11/2025. The committee noted progress on definitive map modification orders and public path orders.
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