Public footpath at Wood Lane, Thorp Arch, Leeds

What was proposed

A one-metre-wide public footpath would run about 700 metres along Wood Lane, with crushed limestone surfacing and a 30mph speed limit extension.

“The application seeks planning permission for the creation of a public footpath, to Wood Lane, Thorp Arch. The proposed footpath is 1 metre in width, retaining a minimum of 0.5 metres verge from the road. The proposed footpath extends approximately 700 metres along Wood Lane, between its junction with Thorp Arch Park and Flint Mill Lane.”

“The proposed footpath is to be constructed in crushed limestone hardcore, to a permeable membrane. The footpath is to have a slight camber/cross fall of approximately 1:50, to allow for its drainage. The footpath is to have a concrete foundation to sections where there are land level variations, and timber edging boards where land levels are more even.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The route follows highway verges without existing footpaths, within the conservation area, rural land, a special landscape area and a green corridor.

“The application site falls within the Thorp Arch Conservation Area, within Character Area 1, ‘historic village and field pattern’, though immediately abuts Character Area 2 to its west, ‘Thorp Arch Hall and Park’. The Village, the road to the south of Wood Lane, includes a number of Grade II listed buildings, as well as a number of buildings which are considered ‘positive’ within the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan.”

“The site falls within the ‘Wetherby/Boston Spa’ Special Landscape Area, as designated by saved UDP policy N37. The site is within Strategic Green Infrastructure, as designated by Core Strategy policy SP13. The site is within a Green Corridor, as designated by policy CNE2 of the Thorp Arch Neighbourhood Plan, namely ‘a. The Wharfe Valley’. Trees adjacent to the west of the application site are protected by TPO, reference WETHBY/1969/1.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

An earlier certificate application for a hardcore footpath was withdrawn, and there were no pre-application enquiries or enforcement cases.

“Planning applications: 12. 25/02902/CLP - Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for hardcore footpath on the verge of Wood Lane, Thorp Arch. Withdrawn, 11.08.2025.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the path would improve pedestrian safety, support a neighbourhood plan project and cause no significant identified harm.

“The proposal would provide a segregated footpath which is considered to be a significant planning benefit over and above the existing situation, which will improve highways safety for pedestrians along an established recreational walking route. The proposal would also result in a speed limit reduction to 30 mph along the length of the footpath, a further significant highways safety benefit of the development.”

“The proposal would improve pedestrian safety along an established recreational walking route, the Ebor Way, delivering an identified project within the Thorp Arch Neighbourhood Plan, albeit it with some differences to the project as first outlined within the Neighbourhood Plan. This delivery of a project for the community, as per their made Plan, is considered a significant planning benefit of the proposal.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways and public rights of way officers raised no objection subject to conditions, while flood risk and landscape officers requested further information.

“LCC Highways: No objection subject to relevant conditions (further clarification as to the width of the footpath having been provided). Conditions recommended include implementation of a reduced speed limit, and a maintenance plan for the footpath.”

“LCC Flood Risk Management: The application site is located within Flood Zone 1 and there have been no records of any recent flooding within the property or adjacent areas. FRM records show that areas within the application are at high risk of surface water flooding.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector spoke against the application, while representatives of the parish council spoke in support and answered members’ questions.

Members’ debate

Members discussed the alternative route, muddy conditions, accessibility, the narrow path, speed reduction, signage, lighting and maintenance.

“Questions and comments from Panel Members then followed, with officers responding to the questions raised, which included the following: • Ownership of the land would remain as Highways as it was in the boundary of the public highway. • It was the view of the Parish Council and Highways that this is a Public Right of Way rather than a footpath which does not require standard size as per a footpath. It was noted that the path would be for pedestrians only, not cyclists.”

“It was noted that the Ebor Way can become very muddy in bad weather, and walkers often chose to use the cleaner route over the viaduct. If walkers do want to walk the real Ebor Way they can do, it is mostly fields and hedgerows. • It was noted that the reduction in speed is not a planning matter, and if a speed reduction was required in this location, Highways should already be considering it, and not just because of the new path.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee granted permission subject to the reported conditions, amending the carriageway buffer, signage details and maintenance requirements.

“Upon voting, a motion was put forward to move the officer recommendations, as per the submitted report. This was moved and seconded, and it was…”

“RESOLVED – That planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the submitted report, with an amendment to Condition 5 to refer to carriageway, with Condition 3 to give the precise location of highway signage and other matters and Condition 6 to cover the associated maintenance of the path and the wooden boarding.”

Minutes