2025 Retrospective
Hoddesdon 73
In March, we had discussions with developers regarding the proposed data centre close to the South Mimms and Potters Bar parish boundary. Hertsmere Borough Council have granted outline planning permission for the development in the fields to the east of Wash Lane, South Mimms, but various matters were reserved.
The development would affect Potters Bar 75 (Watery Lane) and potentially South Mimms 81 (Wash Lane). A discussion with the developer was very fruitful, and should result in at least two new bridleways. The is also a planning application for housing east of the site, so we will be loooking for path linkages to make circular routes and to take riders off the roads, which will become busier.
We were pleased when the Central Bedfordshire Council made an order to upgrade the bridleway to restricted byway. The application had been made in 2019 and was turned down by the council who were directed to make an order after a successful appeal.
At the close of the objection period, 2 July 2025, there was just one objection and one representation. The Council discussed the grounds with those involved, and as a result, no objections or representations were outstanding on 1 Sep 2025. The order was confirmed on 28 Nov 2025 and distributed on 2 Dec 2025.
Caddington parish was partially in Hertfordshire prior to 1897, and so is a parish for which the historical records are mostly in our Hertfordshire collection, even though the parish is now in Bedfordshire.
The County Council determined our application to upgrade Hemel Hempstead 20 and 90 from footpath to restricted byway and agreed in May 2025 that an order should be made. The Hertfordshire County Council (Hemel Hempstead 20 and 90) Modification Order 2025 was made on 19 Jun 2025 and will, if confirmed, record this route in the definitive map and statement as a restrcited byway. The close of the objection period was 20 Aug 25 and no objections were made, so the order was confirmed on 4 Sep 25 and advertised on 6 Oct 25. It will take a little while for the obstructions to be removed and signposting updated.
The County Council determined the application to upgrade Offley 39 and Luton from footpath to restricted byway and agreed in May 2024 that an order should be made for RB. However, it was necessary to have formal delegation from Luton Borough Council (rather than an officer’s say so) so that the order could be made affecting paths in Luton. A resolution was passed at Luton’s Administration and Regulation Committee on 11 Jun 25 to ensure the correct legal authority was in place for Hertfordshire County Council to act on Luton’s behalf. The order was made by Hertfordshire County Council on 24 July 2025. At the close of the objection period on 3 October 2025, there were 11 objections or representations. The last objection was withdrawn on 19 Dec 2025, and so the order will be confirmed. Because of the Christmas break, this won’t now be until 2026.
This route is an important piece of the Luton Orbital Bridleroute, so we're delighted that it is to be confirmed.
In 2020, an order was made to enable changes to the A602 Ware Road’s side roads. A bridleway was created on a side road that was to be stopped up. This year, a legal event modification order was made to record the effect of the earlier order on the definitive map and statement.
The route starts from Sacombe Road, and comes out opposite Bengeo Rural 23 bridleway. Despite the efforts of the Trust and the British Horse Society, the County Council would only provide an at-grade crossing of the A602 here.
This section of the old Roman Road, Ermine Street, had been recorded as Brickendon Liberty 24 restricted byway. The owner of the land south of Cock Lane applied to the County Council to delete the route on the alleged grounds that a mistake had been made in the drawing up of the original definitive map in the 1950s.
The County Council's 75 page investigation report outlined evidence including that the route was recognised for vehicular traffic in the 1800s. The County Council turned down the application, and on 8 April 2025 an appeal was entered. It is now awaiting conisderation by the Secretary of State via an Inspector.
In February, we commented on East Herts planning application 3/24/2245 for a solar farm. The development would have affected the route of Ardeley 49 footpath which we had applied to be upgraded to restricted byway in 2022. We also supported the British Horse Society's request that the green space left for the public be registered as a village green, which would give rights of access to local walkers and riders.
In April, we commented on Hertsmere planning application 24/1185/OUT which proposes to replace the industrial area that the bridleway crosses with housing. The plans show a soft-surfaced 5m wide bridleway across the housing site, which we welcomed. We also asked that a link path shown on the plans be dedicated as bridleway and that a triangular horse warning sign be placed on the access drive (as traffic would be increased). The County Council’s Rights of Way Department agreed with our proposals and has also asked for increased width. At 28 Dec 25, the planning application is still listed as ‘awaiting decision’ on the Council's web site.
In August, we commented on Hertsmere planning application 25/0885/OUTEI which proposes to put in more houses around the Harperbury Hospital site. The applicant, Bloor Homes, made no reference to bridleways in their application. We pointed out that they hadn't delivered on bridleways on the initial development and set out paths that were needed.
Bloor Homes have also applied to St Albans City and District Council for more homes on their side of the district boundary. The application number is 5/2025/1160 and we will be asking for the paths previously promised at the public meeting to have their legal work completed.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Hitchin 42) Modification Order 2022, made 10 Mar 2022 and confirmed 4 Apr 2025, recorded 25m of Hitchin 42 FP as restricted byway.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Anstey 21) Modification Order 2025, made 30 Jan 2025 and confirmed 15 May 2025, recorded a footpath from Biggin Hill to Barkway Road.
The Hertfordshire County Council (A602 Improvements Watton-at-Stone to Tonwell) Legal Event Modification Order 2025, made 25 Jun 2025, added Bengeo Rural 27 and Sacombe 25 bridleway (which was legally created in 2020) to the definitive map and statement.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Cheshunt Bridleway 87) Legal Event Modification Order 2025, made 14 Aug 2025, added the St Mary's School bridleway in Cheshunt to the definitive map and statement.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Markyate 25 and Flamstead 58) Modification Order 2018, made 3 Aug 2018 and confirmed 2 Sep 2025, added Green Lane, Markyate, to the definitive map and statement as a restricted byway.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Hemel Hempstead 20 and 90) Modification Order 2025, made 19 Jun 2025 and confirmed 4 Sep 2025, upgraded two footpaths to restricted byway on the definitive map and statement for this way.
The Central Bedfordshire Council (Definitive Map and Statement for Central Bedfordshire) (Caddington: Restricted Byway No.40) Modification Order 2025, made 9 May 2025 and confirmed 28 Nov 2025, upgraded Caddington 40 bridleway to restricted byway. Caddington is now within Bedfordshire, but historically was part of Hertfordshire and so many of the documents needed to prove historic rights are in the Hertfordshire archives.
The St Albans City and District Council (St Stephen 14) Diversion Order 2024, made 2 Oct 2024, confirmed and coming into effect 9 Jan 2025, diverted part of St Stephen 14 footpath to the alignment needed for the proposed bridleway joining the new country park to London Colney.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Much Hadham 10 and 11) Diversion Order 2024, made 29 Aug 2024, confirmed and coming into effect 16 Jan 2025, diverted part of Much Hadham 10 and 11 footpaths to a new alignment not passing through a building.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Ridge 8) Temporary Diversion Order 2025, made 16 Jan 2025, proposes to divert part of Ridge 8 footpath for 10 years and 4 months for minerals extraction. The temporary footpath is given a width of 4m.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Holwell 19) Extinguishment Order 2025, made 29 Jul 2025, confirmed and coming into effect 11 Sep 2025, extinguished part of Holwell 19 Footpath.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Bishops Stortford 7) Public Path Diversion Order 2025, made 29 May 2025, confirmed 30 Oct 2025 and coming into effect 30 Dec 2025, diverted part of Bishops Stortford 7 footpath to the field edge and recorded part with a width of 3m and the remainder as 4m. Two additional short links (each with width 2m) were made to Hadham Road.
The North Hertfordshire District Council (Kelshall 7) Public Path Diversion Order 2025, made 2 Oct 2025 and confirmed 12 Nov 2025, will divert part of Kelshall 7 Footpath and record a width of 3m. The order comes into effect when North Herts District Council certify that the works are completed.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Bishops Stortford 71) Public Path Diversion Order 2025, made 9 Oct 2025, will if confirmed, divert part of Bishops Stortford 71 bridleway to the field edge and record part with a width of 4.5m and part as 5m. The close of the objection period is 26 Nov 2025.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Bishops Stortford 8) Public Path Creation Order 2025, made 20 Nov 2025, will if confirmed, create bridleway rights from Bishops Stortford 8 bridleway southwards to Hadham Road and record this extension with a width varying between 5m and 7m. The close of the objection period is 19 Jan 2026.
The North Hertfordshire District Council (Kelshall 9) Public Path Diversion Order 202x, circulated in draft 19 Nov 2025, proposes to divert part of Kelshall 9 Footpath and record a width of 4m. The order has not yet been made.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Aldbury 71) Modification Order 2025, made 6 Feb 2025, proposes to add a variable width (between 11m and 28m) to the definitive map and statement for this way. Advertised 15 Apr 2025. The objection period closed 30 May 2025.
The Central Bedfordshire Council (Definitive Map and Statement for Central Bedfordshire) (Hyde: Byway Open to All Traffic No 15) Modification Order 2022, made 1 Apr 2022, proposes to record the Bedfordshire moiety of this route to the definitive map for Central Bedfordshire as a byway open to all traffic. The objection period closed 27 Apr 2022 and several objections were received by the council. In preparing the submission for the Secretary of State, it was realised that the order would not be confirmed by the Secretary of State as it did not comply with the regulations for order plans. Order will be remade compliant with the regulations.
The Hertfordshire County Council (Offley 39 and Luton 45) Modification Order 2025, made 24 Jul 2025, proposes to upgrade the county boundary footpath to restricted byway and add a restricted byway in Luton on the definitive maps and statements for Hertfordshire and Luton. Advertised 18 Aug 2025. The objection period closed 3 Oct 2025.
© 2026 Patchetts Green Bridleways Trust.
