East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Public Rights of Way (PROW) service, working alongside its planning service, have produced a new guidance document for developers, and those who are interested in Public Rights of Way, to explain how the planning process can work effectively to bring about both protection of routes and their improvement.

Public Rights of Way offer enormous benefits for leisure and recreation, health and wellbeing, sustainable transport, and the social and economic vitality of the area.

The new guidance has been produced in conjunction with the Local Access Forum – the customer forum that works with the Public Rights of Way team – and sets out best practice for planning and rights of way. It explains in detail what the service is looking for and how sustainable development can help achieve the targets set out in the council’s  Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

Councillor Shaun Horton, portfolio holder for coastal regeneration and tourism, said : “This new document explains the approach of the council, provides recommended standards and gives associated advice, so that all those involved in the planning and development process consider Public Rights of Way at an early stage, and give due weight to their importance in the planning process.

“In turn this will lead to PROWs being well designed into a development proposal to deliver the most sustainable and viable scheme for the benefit of all.

“Early discussion with the Public Rights of Way Service from the start will help the planning process run smoothly and ensure that public access is properly designed into the development proposals.”

The document is now on the council website:

https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/leisure/countryside-and-walks/public-rights-of-way/about-public-rights-of-way/