As a landowner, Section 31(6) of The Highways Act 1980 gives you the opportunity to stop further public rights of way being recorded on your land.

You can deposit a statement and map, which acknowledges the public rights of way (if any) on your land with the rights of way team.

Within 20 years, you must then lodge a declaration confirming that no new rights of way have been dedicated since the map and statement were deposited. A renewal declaration must then be made every 20 years.

The deposition provides a degree of protection against any claims of rights of way based on deemed dedication. It does not offer evidence regarding lack of intention to dedicate, on a claim of 20-year period of uninterrupted use which expired prior to the initial deposit of the map and statement or where a right of way has been established based on historical evidence.

How to apply

Applications must be made using the CA16 application form on the GOV.UK website.

Fees

The application fees are:

• registration of a highway statement or landowner statement, including erection of site notices for a landowner statement for one parcel of land: £350
• registration or renewal of a highways declaration or landowner statement, including erection of site notices for a landowner statement for one parcel of land: £350
• registration or renewal of additional parcels of land: £50 per parcel
• erection of additional notices at the request of the landowner: £25 per notice

Current statutory declarations under Section 31(6)

Bournemouth Central Gardens, Bournemouth

Date of declaration/deposit: 4 November 2016
Date of expiry: 4 November 2036

Horseshoe Common, Bournemouth

Date of declaration/deposit: 22 February 2016
Date of expiry: 22 February 2036

Hurn Estate, Christchurch

Date of declaration/deposit: 5 March 2019
Date of expiry: 5 March 2039

Land at Happy Bottom, Corfe Mullen

Date of declaration/deposit: 1 April 2025
Date of expiry: 1 April 2045