The Rights of Way Committee is scheduled to convene to address several key issues, including a request from Newton-by-the-Sea Parish Council to withdraw from a previously agreed Commons Scheme, and reviews of Definitive Maps concerning public rights of way in various parishes. The committee will also discuss the date of the next meeting and any urgent business.

Newton Common

The committee will consider a request from Newton-by-the-Sea Parish Council to withdraw from a previously agreed Commons Scheme and associated agreement relating to Newton Common. The council had previously agreed to a Commons Scheme for Newton Common, under the Commons Act 1899¹, with Newton-by-the-Sea Parish Council taking over day-to-day management. However, the report pack states that the Parish Council has since raised concerns about their obligations under the scheme and declined to sign the management agreement.

The report pack states that Councillor Mark Mather, Cabinet Member for Roads and Highways, recommends that the committee approve the reversal of the decision to enter into a Commons Scheme. According to the report pack, if the committee does not agree to the withdrawal, the County Council would take responsibility for the Commons Scheme, which was not the intention for which Schemes were set up .

The report pack also references a report to the North Northumberland Local Area Committee dated 22 April 2021 and the minutes of the North Northumberland Local Area Committee dated 20 January 2022, as well as a proposed Scheme Order and Section 101 agreement². An email dated 21 August 2025 from Jan Anderson, Clerk to Newton-By-The-Sea Parish Council, is also referenced, confirming the Parish Council's decision to decline signing the management agreement.

The report pack also includes minutes from a North Northumberland Local Area Council meeting on 20 January 2022, where the committee resolved to approve the proposed Commons Scheme at Newton Common (CL26) and enter into a management agreement with Newton-by-the-Sea Parish Council. The minutes also record that Councillor Swinbank had a personal but non-prejudicial interest in item 10 and would be leaving the meeting during that item.

Review of Public Rights of Way

The Rights of Way Committee will also be asked to consider evidence relating to alleged public rights of way in three separate reviews of the Definitive Map³ and Statement.

Wallington

The committee will consider evidence gathered in support and rebuttal of the existence of public vehicular rights over a route in the Parish of Wallington. The route begins on the B6343 road, south-east of Hartburn Grange, and proceeds south-easterly to join the C158 road, east of Middleton.

The report pack states that Diane Holmes of Ulgham made a formal application in March 2021, seeking to modify the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way by adding a public bridleway. Ms Holmes' application included analysis of historical maps, including Greenwood's map of Northumberland (1828), the Tithe plan for the township of Hartburn Grange (1838), and Ordnance Survey maps.

Mr C and Mrs C Bennett of Greenside Farm submitted a letter objecting to the application, stating:

We do not believe that any public access has existed from the north side of Greenside through to the southern boundary of the farm and object to the application.

The letter included historical mapping, neighbour statements, and historical background information. Alan Cowan, a former resident and farmer of Greenside from 1999 to 2019, stated:

Never during these years have I ever had a local, neighbour or visitor ever say that they remember when this (the access route) was a public road, footpath or bridleway and I have never had anyone ever ask for public access to ride a horse, walk or bike the route or farm track.

Tracey Scott, a former tenant of Greenside Farmhouse, and Nicholas Scott, an agricultural contractor who worked at Greenside Farm, also submitted statements objecting to the application.

The report pack also includes consultation responses from Wallington Demesne Parish Council, the British Horse Society, and Cycling UK. Wallington Demesne Parish Council supports the proposals for a Restricted Byway, while the British Horse Society describes the route as an unrecorded missing link in a long route made up of minor rural roads and bridleways .

The report pack references a report relating to Bridleway 36 Belsay Hall, dated August 2021, and correspondence with John McErlane, a former Northumberland County Council officer.

Alnwick Town

The committee will consider evidence relating to a proposed 10 metre long southern extension to the existing Public Bridleway No 1 in Alnwick Town, between its junction with Footpath No 29 and Taylor Drive, east of The Duchess Community High School.

The report pack states that the proposal came about due to a June 2024 enquiry regarding the alignment, extent and condition of Public Bridleway No 1. The report pack notes that Councillor Martin Swinbank supports the intention of adding a bridleway, stating:

This will complete the route which is currently well used by pupils of the DCHS and many local residents.

The Northumberland Estates responded to the consultation stating they believe the application to be non-contentious and would have no objection to the proposal. The British Horse Society also responded, indicating that this route would be a useful link to connect up the network.

The report pack references a map and schedule of rights of way under the Rights of Way Act 1932, as well as original survey maps and schedules from c.1951. A Definitive Map Modification Order (No 1) 1985 is also referenced, along with the 2006 Consolidated Definitive Map.

Tosson and Rothbury

The committee will consider evidence relating to alleged Byways Open to All Traffic Nos 39 & 40 in the Parishes of Tosson and Rothbury. The route in question is part of the U4061 road, between a point on the B6341 Rothbury to Thropton road, and a point on the C181 road at Newtown.

The report pack states that in the late 1980s, the County Council carried out consultations regarding proposals to add a number of unsealed tracks to the Definitive Map as byways open to all traffic. The report pack also references a letter from Northumberland Estates, dated 21st May 2018, stating:

This route is not suitable as a bridleway nor a BOAT. There is no area for turning from point N to the bridge which will cause issues. There is no suitable crossing point.

The report pack includes consultation responses from Cycling UK, Rothbury Parish Council, and Whitton and Tosson Parish Council. Rothbury Parish Council fully support the proposals , while Whitton and Tosson Parish Council stated that the section from Lady Bridge to Tosson Mill is unsuitable as a byway. The British Horse Society supports the addition to the definitive map, describing it as a recently repaired stone road which provides vehicular access to the river for fishermen.

The report pack references Armstrong's County Map (1769), Fryer's County Map (1820), Cary's Map (1827), Greenwood's County Map (1828), and Rothbury township Tithe Award (1848). Ordnance Survey maps from 1866, 1897, and 1923 are also referenced, as well as a Finance Act 1910 plan and a 1951 Highways Map. The report pack also references a 1958 County Road Schedule and the Council's List of Streets (2 May 2006).