The Highways Committee of Durham County Council met on Monday 14 September 2026 to consider a proposed diversion of a public footpath. The meeting's agenda included a report on the proposed diversion of Public Footpath No 80 in Wolsingham.

Proposed Diversion of Public Footpath No 80 Wolsingham

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application to divert a section of Public Footpath No 80 Wolsingham, located at Middle Fawnlees. The landowner, Mr te Lintelo, applied for the diversion under Section 119 of the Highways Act 1980, citing reasons of security and privacy for the property, which is undergoing renovation for potential holiday let use.

The proposed diversion would reroute the footpath from its current alignment past the buildings at Middle Fawnlees to a more southerly point on Footpath No. 79, before rejoining the original path. The new route would not include gates or stiles. Construction of the replacement path had already begun.

During the consultation period, most stakeholders, including Wolsingham Parish Council, the Ramblers Association, and the British Horse Society, raised no objections. However, the Open Spaces Society lodged an objection, arguing that the new route would be less direct, less enjoyable, and less convenient than the existing path. They also suggested that the path's character would change and that there would be no adverse impact on future residents if the path remained in its current alignment.

The report pack outlined the legal framework for diverting public paths, emphasizing that such diversions are permissible if they are expedient in the interests of the landowner or the public, and that the new path must be substantially as convenient as the existing one. The report also noted that the diversion aligns with Policy 6 of the Rights of Way Improvement Plan for County Durham, which supports diversions that reduce conflict and benefit both land managers and path users.

The committee was presented with the recommendation to make an Order to divert part of Public Footpath No 80 Wolsingham. If confirmed without objection, the Order would be made. However, if objections remained, the Order would be referred to the Secretary of State for determination.