South Moreton - Footpath No. 20 Public Path Creation Order & Definitive Map & Statement Modification Order 2026 and Unrecorded Footpath Public Path Extinguishment Order 2026. Ref: 03779

Oxfordshire County Council has powers to make Orders to extinguish and create public rights of way under sections 118 and 26 of the Highways Act 1980. The creation Order is made on the grounds that there is a need for the public footpath described in the Order. The extinguishment Order is made on the grounds that the public footpath described in the Order is not needed for public use (taking account of the route of the new footpath). The existing and proposed routes are shown on the Order plans.

The current unrecorded footpath runs from the end of Mill Lane through the garden of Mill House and through an archway to join with Footpath 6 (A – B).

The landowners have provided a new footpath between points C – D – E. This route runs east from Footpath No. 6 in a field alongside a stream, then turns to run north-north-easterly crossing the Mill Brook via a footbridge and rejoins Mill Lane at point E and is currently in use by the public with the permission of the owners of the land.

The current owners wish to divert the (as yet, unrecorded) path (A – B) from running in close proximity to their property between their garage and house so as to improve their security and privacy on to the route C – D – E.

There are no gates on the diverted route and the fence that currently exists separating the path from the stream is to be removed so the route is more open. The existing fence bounding the field side of the path will also be replaced by a new fence sited to provide a minimum path width of 2.0 metres.

The Council has consulted with key interest groups and the relevant parish council. It appears to the Council that the Orders comply with the legal provisions contained in the Act and that it is expedient that the public rights of way should be extinguished and created. The making and advertising of the Orders provides an opportunity for objections or representations to be made. Any responses must be received by the date set out in the Notice. The Council will then consider how to proceed. If any objections are made and not withdrawn, the Council may refer the Orders and objections to the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs for determination. An Inspector from the Planning Inspectorate will then either take written representations or hear the objections at a Public Inquiry or Hearing. The Inspector can confirm the Orders, confirm them with modifications, or refuse to confirm the Orders. If no objections are received the County Council may confirm the Orders itself, but it has no power of modification. The right of an objection to an Order is a statutory right, but it should be exercised in a reasonable manner. The costs involved in dealing with objections to an Order may be awarded against objectors in cases of unreasonable behaviour.

Further information about public path order procedures and the relevant legal provisions are available in our Guidance Notes at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/modificationsanddiversions and Natural England’s ‘’A guide to definitive maps and changes to public rights of way’’ (reference NE112) at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/definitive-maps-of-public-rights-of-way-change-the-legal-records.

Data Protection Act and GDPR: The County Council will consider all correspondence, objections and representations received in response to this order. They may be disseminated widely for these purposes and made available to the public.