The first parties to be consulted about the application will normally be the landowner and adjacent landowners. They will be sent a map showing the claimed route and asked for any evidence they have regarding action taken to prevent public use of the route.

Discussions

They will be invited to meet with the case officer to discuss the case and provide verbal evidence. The case officer will also write to all the ‘user witnesses’ 

User witnesses are the people who have completed evidence forms claiming they have used the route in support of the application. They will be invited to meet with the map case officer to discuss the case and give detailed verbal evidence.

Consultees

During the formal consultation stage, national organisations are consulted about the claim. 

• The Ramblers’ Association
• British Horse Society 
• Parish and District Councils
• Utility Companies 
• Local County Councillors.

Any responses from consultees are included in the report to the Assistant Director