Public Rights of Way

Landowners can protect their land from public rights of way being claimed over it, under Section 31(6) of the Highway Act 1980.

You can do this by depositing with our public rights of way team:

• a map and highways statement showing the extend of your land
• any existing public rights of way

Within 20 years of depositing the statement and map (and within subsequent 20 year periods from each previous deposit), you can lodge a formal highways declaration to the effect that no other rights of way have been dedicated since the last deposit date.

A landowner statement is different to a highways statement or declaration deposited under the 1980 Act. A landowner statement is made under Section 15A of the Commons Act 2006 and protects land against applications to register town and village greens.

Section 31(6) Register

We must keep a register of information about statements deposited under Section 31(6) of the Highway Act 1980 and Section 15A of the Commons Act 2006 - download the register. 

How to apply

To apply under Section 31(6) of the Highway Act 1980 and/or Section 15A of the Commons Act 2006, email a completed CA16 Application Form to rightsofway@rutland.gov.uk or post to: Land Charges, Rutland County Council, Catmose, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6HP.

View DEFRA guidance for completing Form CA16

You must also pay the relevant fees.