The Regulatory Committee of Lancashire County Council met on Wednesday 3 June 2026 to discuss various matters relating to public rights of way. The committee ratified a previous decision to add a bridleway near Farington Moss, but rejected an application to upgrade footpaths to bridleways in Latham due to insufficient evidence. Several applications for the diversion of footpaths were approved, including those at Quilter Close, De Tabley Mews, Woodside Crescent, Swallows Barn, and Wholaw Tongue Farm, primarily for reasons of privacy, security, and safety. An application to extinguish part of a footpath at Eavesdale was also approved.

Ratification of Bridleway Order near Farington Moss

The committee ratified a previous decision to add a bridleway to the definitive map and statement of public rights of way between Bannister Lane and Moss Lane, adjacent to Flensburg Way in Farington. This decision was made despite an administrative error that had led to the order being confirmed prematurely. Councillor Mark Clifford moved the ratification, noting the lack of objections and the satisfaction of the higher test for adding the bridleway. County Councillor Fred Cottam seconded the motion, which was approved by the committee.

Rejection of Bridleway Upgrade Application in Latham

An application to upgrade footpaths along Cranes Lane and Lady Alice's Drive in Latham to bridleways was rejected. Jane Turner, presenting the report, explained that while the routes were shown on historical maps and appeared physically capable of use by vehicles, there was insufficient evidence to infer public rights beyond those of footpaths. Simon, providing legal observations, concurred that the evidence was insufficient to assert that a bridleway subsisted. County Councillor Fred Cottam moved the rejection of the application, seconded by County Councillor Maria Jones, and the committee approved the recommendation.

Diversion of Footpaths Approved

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to considering applications for the diversion of footpaths, all of which were approved. These diversions were generally proposed by landowners or developers for reasons of privacy, security, or to accommodate new developments.

• Eavesdale, Tanhouse, Skelmersdale: An application to extinguish part of Footpath FP0802019 was approved. Councillor Mark Clifford described the proposal as eminently sensible, noting that a lit footpath already ran alongside the section to be extinguished. The committee voted to approve the recommendation.
• The Cross Keys Inn, Whitechapel, Preston: An order was approved to divert footpaths FP0605112 and FP0605113. The diversion was deemed expedient in the interests of the owners of The Cross Keys Inn, a public house with holiday accommodation, to enhance privacy and security. The alternative route was considered substantially as convenient to the public. County Councillor Maria Jones moved the approval, seconded by County Councillor Graeme Austin.
• Quilter Close, Accrington: A diversion of Footpath FP1105303 was approved. This diversion was requested due to a new housing development. Councillor David Howarth expressed frustration that such issues were not addressed during the planning stage, but acknowledged the necessity of the diversion. The committee approved the recommendation, with County Councillor Graeme Austin and County Councillor Maria Jones moving and seconding respectively.
• De Tabley Mews, Ribchester, Ribble Valley: A footpath diversion was approved due to a property sale and the creation of gardens over the public right of way. Concerns were raised about the removal of a pedestrian gate and the overall appearance of the diversion, but the committee ultimately approved the recommendation, moved by County Councillor Mark Clifford and seconded by County Councillor Graeme Austin.
• Woodside Crescent, Newchurch, Rossendale: A footpath diversion was approved, necessitated by the right-of-way having been built upon. The diversion would create a tarmac path, an improvement on the original route. Councillor Mark Clifford proposed accepting the modification, noting the long-standing nature of the issue and the desire to avoid imposing significant costs on the current owner. County Councillor Fred Cottam seconded the motion.
• Swallows Barn, Pendleton, Ribble Valley: A footpath diversion was approved, requested by the owners to move the path away from their garden due to concerns about dogs and young children. Councillor Mark Clifford expressed surprise at the potential lack of use of the route, but acknowledged the common-sense approach of moving the path to the periphery of the garden. County Councillor Fred Cottam agreed with the sentiment of accommodating the landowner's convenience. The committee approved the recommendation, moved by County Councillor Graeme Austin and seconded by County Councillor Liam Thomson.
• Wholaw Tongue Farm, Whitewell Bottom, Rawtenstall, Rossendale: A diversion of footpaths was approved, requested to move the routes away from the immediate vicinity of a working farmyard for safety reasons. County Councillor Graeme Austin deemed the proposal eminently suitable for safety, which was paramount in an agricultural setting. County Councillor Mark Clifford moved the approval, seconded by County Councillor Graeme Austin.

Progress Report and Other Business

The committee also received a progress report on previous committee items, noting updates on definitive map modification orders and public path orders. Item 17, concerning a bridleway order near Farington Moss, was dealt with earlier in the meeting in conjunction with item 8. No urgent business was raised. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 9 September 2026.

The meeting was held on Wednesday 3 June 2026.

Ratification of Bridleway Order near Farington Moss

The committee ratified a previous decision to add a bridleway to the definitive map and statement of public rights of way between Bannister Lane and Moss Lane, adjacent to Flensburg Way in Farington. This decision was made despite an administrative error that had led to the order being confirmed prematurely. Councillor Mark Clifford moved the ratification, noting the lack of objections and the satisfaction of the higher test for adding the bridleway. County Councillor Fred Cottam seconded the motion, which was approved by the committee.

Rejection of Bridleway Upgrade Application in Latham

An application to upgrade footpaths along Cranes Lane and Lady Alice's Drive in Latham to bridleways was rejected. Jane Turner, presenting the report, explained that while the routes were shown on historical maps and appeared physically capable of use by vehicles, there was insufficient evidence to infer public rights beyond those of footpaths. Simon, providing legal observations, concurred that the evidence was insufficient to assert that a bridleway subsisted. County Councillor Fred Cottam moved the rejection of the application, seconded by County Councillor Maria Jones, and the committee approved the recommendation.

Diversion of Footpaths Approved

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to considering applications for the diversion of footpaths, all of which were approved. These diversions were primarily requested by landowners or developers for reasons of privacy, security, or to accommodate new developments.

• Eavesdale, Tanhouse, Skelmersdale: An application to extinguish part of Footpath FP0802019 was approved. Councillor Mark Clifford described the proposal as eminently sensible, noting the existence of a lit footpath nearby. The committee voted to approve the recommendation.
• The Cross Keys Inn, Whitechapel, Preston: An order was approved to divert footpaths FP0605112 and FP0605113. The diversion was deemed expedient in the interests of the owners of The Cross Keys Inn, a public house with holiday accommodation, to enhance privacy and security. The alternative route was considered substantially as convenient to the public. County Councillor Maria Jones moved the approval, seconded by County Councillor Graeme Austin.
• Quilter Close, Accrington: A diversion of Footpath FP1105303 was approved, requested due to a new housing development. Councillor David Howarth expressed frustration that such issues were not addressed during the planning stage but acknowledged the necessity of the diversion. The committee approved the recommendation, with County Councillor Graeme Austin and County Councillor Maria Jones moving and seconding respectively.
• De Tabley Mews, Ribchester, Ribble Valley: A footpath diversion was approved, necessitated by a property sale and the creation of gardens over the public right of way. Concerns were raised about the removal of a pedestrian gate and the overall appearance of the diversion, but the committee ultimately approved the recommendation, moved by County Councillor Mark Clifford and seconded by County Councillor Graeme Austin.
• Woodside Crescent, Newchurch, Rossendale: A footpath diversion was approved, necessitated by the right-of-way having been built upon. The diversion would create a tarmac path, an improvement on the original route. Councillor Mark Clifford proposed accepting the modification, noting the long-standing nature of the issue and the desire to avoid imposing significant costs on the current owner. County Councillor Fred Cottam seconded the motion.
• Swallows Barn, Pendleton, Ribble Valley: A footpath diversion was approved, requested by the owners to move the path away from their garden due to concerns about dogs and young children. Councillor Mark Clifford expressed surprise at the potential lack of use of the route but acknowledged the common-sense approach of moving the path to the periphery of the garden. County Councillor Fred Cottam agreed with the sentiment of accommodating the landowner's convenience. The committee approved the recommendation, moved by County Councillor Graeme Austin and seconded by County Councillor Fred Cottam.
• Wholaw Tongue Farm, Whitewell Bottom, Rawtenstall, Rossendale: A diversion of footpaths was approved, requested to move the routes away from the immediate vicinity of a working farmyard for safety reasons. County Councillor Graeme Austin deemed the proposal eminently suitable for safety, which was paramount in an agricultural setting. County Councillor Mark Clifford moved the approval, seconded by County Councillor Graeme Austin.

Progress Report and Other Business

The committee also received a progress report on previous committee items, noting updates on definitive map modification orders and public path orders. Item 17, concerning a bridleway order near Farington Moss, was dealt with earlier in the meeting in conjunction with item 8. No urgent business was raised. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Wednesday, 9 September 2026.