Permissive paths make an important contribution to public access, often connecting to and extending the public rights of way network where gaps would otherwise exist. Examples in Cambridgeshire include County Farms paths and areas, agri-environmental access schemes and more local permissive access paths. Anglian Water also provide a network of permissive paths around Grafham Water. Bodies such as the RSPB, the Wildlife Trust, the Woodland Trust and Cambridge Past Present and Future also offer significant permissive countryside access opportunities.
Permissive paths are often the subject of a formal agreement between landowners and the County Council, although other more local agreements and arrangements also exist. The landowner generally has the duty of care to users of the permitted paths and is responsible for maintenance.
County Farms
Cambridgeshire’s Council-run farm estate is the largest in England (see link). One of the benefits is significant extra public access developed over many years. New definitive rights of way have been dedicated as opportunities arise but the estate also provides important additional permissive access. These paths and areas are shown on our online map.
Environmental Stewardship
Previous Countryside Stewardship (CSS) and current Higher Level Environmental Stewardship (HLS) Schemes were part of wider funding for environmental management of farmland, administered by Natural England. Stewardship encouraged wide environmental benefits including permissive public access, usually carried out over a 10-year period, in return for financial payment. The access was linear (footpath or bridleway) or area-based. Natural England has decided not to support further access schemes - existing schemes are now likely to lapse as they reach their expiry dates. Remaining CSS/HLS access is now shown on our online map.
Other permissive access
Other landowners may enter into Permissive Path Agreements with the Highway Authority which allow public access along designated routes, often indefinitely but which may be terminated upon notice. Such agreements extend the opportunity for recreation but also serve to protect the landowner against claims to register the routes as definitive rights of way. We are working to show more of this access on our internet map.