Legal History
18 Apr 1899: Recorded as bridleway 2 in a survey of bridle and footpaths by the Parish Council.
2 Feb 1953: Little Berkhamsted 18 was recorded as a bridleway on the original definitive map and statement. DM sheet DM2-29.
31 Dec 1977: Little Berkhamsted 18 was shown as a bridleway on the special review draft map and statement. DM sheet SR-70.
12 Jan 2020: Application for bridleway to be added at southern end. HCC reference EH/481.
12 Feb 2021: Hertfordshire County Council publish decision that the alignment of BW18 needs to be corrected at the southern end, and that part of the statement is missing and should be restored.
16 Aug 2021: HCC decision rescinded - it will now be taken by a committee.
23 Sep 2021: HCC Development Control Committee resolved that the order be made.
23 Sep 2021: The Hertfordshire County Council (Little Berkhamsted 18) Modification Order 2021, confirmed 13 Mar 2025, recorded the bridleway on the route that has been used prior to the gate being closed.
3 Apr 2025: Confirmation of Order was advertised.
6 & 7 Nov 2025: High Court hearing into the confirmation of the order.
17 Dec 2025: High Court judgment issued - [2025] EWHC 3313 (Admin) - dismissed; modification order remains in place.
20 Mar 2026: Court of Appeal refuses permission to appeal the High Court decision.
2 Apr 2026: HCC served notice on the owners of the southern end to reopen Little Berkhamsted 18 bridleway.
2 May 2026: Path still blocked. Enforcement action expected by the County Council.
11 Aug 2026: Public Bridleway sign erected by County Council at southern end of path.
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| Application Process |
| Path |
Application |
Certificate |
Direction |
Inv Report |
Order |
Confirmed |
| EC1084 |
12 Jan 2020 EH/481 |
14 Jan 2020 |
Not Needed |
28 Aug 2020 |
23 Sep 2021 |
13 Mar 2025 |
| Inquiry Timetable - ROW/3311608 |
| Path |
Start Date |
OMA SOC |
Other SOCs |
POEs |
Inquiry |
Result |
| EC1084 |
15 Jul 2024 |
9 Sep 2024 |
21 Oct 2024 |
12 Nov 2024 |
12 Dec 2024 |
13 Mar 2025 |
| Statutory challenge of Inspector's Decision |
| Path |
HC Hearing |
Result |
|
|
|
|
| EC1084 |
6 & 7 Nov 2025 |
17 Dec 2025 |
Challenge dismissed |
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Definitive Statement (4 Dec 2015)
Path: [Little Berkhamsted] 18. Status: Bridleway.
Definitive Map sheet: 70
Commences at Berkhamsted Lane at the extreme southern corner of O.S. 124 passing
between Breach House and two Cottages to the W across O.S. 124 till it reaches the
bridleway gate in the fence by the pond; thence NW along hedge dividing O.S. 124 from 129 and 105 from 100 to join BR19.
Former Definitive Statement (2 Feb 1953)
Path: [Little Berkhamsted] 18. Status: Bridleway.
Definitive Map sheet: 36 NW
Commences at Berkhamsted Lane at the extreme southern corner of O.S. 124 passing
between Breach House and two Cottages to the west across O.S. 124 till it reaches the
bridle-gate in the fence by the pond; thence NW along hedge dividing O.S. 124 from 129 and 105 from 100 to join BR19, thence NW and W to Ashfield Cottages thence NW past Kennel House thence E by Howe Green House thence N to junction with Hatfield-Hertford Road opposite Woolmere Park.
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Maintainability
This route is maintainable at the public expense because it was a footpath or bridleway existing before 30 Apr 1959.
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Following complaints that a gate across the ridden route in Little Berkhamsted had been blocked, the British Horse Society’s access officers and others collected statements of those who had been riding the route. The BHS made an application to have the route recorded and the County Council expedited its investigation. The Council decided that the route that had been ridden was the true route of the bridleway, and the Council decided to make an order to record the route.
Hertfordshire Mercury article, 27 Sep 21.
The County Council agreed with the application and an order was made in 2021. It was confirmed following a public inquiry. A High Court challenge was made, and this was dismissed. The Court of Appeal refused permission to appeal the High Court decision. This means the modification order stands, and the route should reopen.
