In May 2008 the SSBA submitted an application to have the footpath over Whitemoor Hill in Chaffcombe recorded as a restricted byway.
In December 2015 the council agreed with our evidence and made an order to record the route as a restricted byway.
There was an objection from the serial objector and so some years later, in November 2023, the Planning Inspectorate called a hearing in Chard to decide the case.
A local resident then joined with the objectors, although he freely admitted that he knew horse riders had always used the route without challenge.
Now finally we have the result, which is a confirmation of the order.
There are now restricted byway rights recorded along Whitemoor Hill and there can be no challenge to anyone riding or carriage driving, or cycling, over Whitemoor Hill. The legal process does take such a long time. Nothing has changed on the ground, it is just the legal record which is has been amended.
A communication from the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) directing the council to determine the three applications for routes in Chilworthy (Ilminster/Donyatt/Combe St. Nicholas area).
In theory, the council must process them by the end of 2024 (18 months from now), so at least it moves these three forward.
We are seeking anyone willing to give evidence that two bridleways have been used for riding. Somerset Council have now refused the applications on Thornhill Drove or Ash Drove near Ash, Martock (TA12). Any user evidence from the past ten years is welcome to keep these two bridleways of the map.
We will appeal this as evidence becomes available.
Want to find out what your evidence can unlock, and how to create a systematic research method to make DMMO applications to record & save lost routes? The British Horse Society is collaborating with the Ramblers to deliver two training days on Restoring the Record in the South West of England.
The courses will be conducted by two experts, well-known to the BHS: Sarah Bucks, Historic Research Advisor – South Somerset, and Dr Phil Wadey, CABO Hertsmere, Historical Research Advisor to AROWAC & Hertfordshire County Committee Member. They will run from 10am-4pm, covering how to research and apply for routes and the key resources used to study them.
The courses will run in the following locations (click on the link to find out more and book):
Saturday 22 October: Willand Village Hall, Willand, Devon, EX15 2PL.
PINS proposes to modify the definitive map to raise Underwood Lane and Dyer’s Piece Lane to Restricted Byway status along with the northern end of Westerngate Road to Bridleway Status.
The nest step is for PINS to issue the Modification Notice.
For further information and a link to the Interim Order Decision see Alan’s post below.
The Planning Inspectorate have directed Somerset County council to get on with processing the following applications and it would be very helpful if anyone who has walked or ridden these routes would fill in user evidence forms (see below).
Huish Episcopi and Drayton – Huish Drove, Frog Lane, and Park Lane.
Chaffcombe/Chard – Paintmoor Lane
Merriott – Niddons Lane and Holdfast, Ham and Middlefield Lanes (these have been blocked for many years)
Charlton Mackrell – Withybed Lane (blocked at southern end)
Good news! The order has been confirmed for River Drove in Somerton to be recorded as a bridleway. This is over 1.6 kilometres of definitive bridleway added to the map. Please see the notification below for details.
South Somerset Bridleways Association meeting: Broadway Village Hall, TA19 9RX
Tuesday 25th February 7-9pm
Somerset County Council’s Regulation Committee turned down the SSBA’s applications for the Broadway routes on 6th February.
We would like to meet with those riders and carriage drivers that are disappointed in this decision to explain the legal process and why it is so important to save these routes.
The SSBA will appeal the decision. There is still hope that our rights to these routes may not be lost if enough riders and carriage drivers engage with the process.
Please join us on Tuesday and help us save these routes.