Where are rights of way?

This is not the Definitive Map (legal record) of Public Rights of Way.

You cannot rely on this map to give the exact location of a public right of way.

It records the approximate position for informative and leisure purposes.

To view the Definitive Map for legal inquiries you must view it in person.

Make an appointment using the contact details on this page.

Ordnance survey (OS) maps

Ordnance survey (OS) maps are best for finding your way when walking, riding a horse or cycling in Darlington's countryside.

Types of public rights of way [external link].

The most detailed maps are the OS's Explorer series, sheets 304 and 305.

Sheet 304 (Darlington and Richmond)

Covers most of Darlington apart from northern parishes such as Brafferton and Bishopton.

Sheet 305 (Bishop Auckland)

Covers Bishop Auckland, Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe.

How to find public rights of way on an Ordnance Survey map [external link]

Register of declarations made under section 31 A of the Highways Act, 1980

Section 31A Highways Act 1980 requires the council to keep a public Register of Declarations lodged under s31(6) of that Act.

These declarations and statements allow landowners to acknowledge formally public rights of way across their land.

In doing so, they create a presumption that they have no intention to dedicate any further routes across their land.

Deposits made up until 14th February 2004 are valid for 6 years.
Deposits made after 14 February 2004 are valid for 10 years (as amended by schedule 6 paragraph 3 of the CROW Act 2000)
Deposits made after 1 October 2013 are valid for 20 years (as amended by section 13 of the Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013)

For more information on the process or to obtain the relevant Section 31(6) forms you will need to use a prescribed government form - CA16. Please note relevant charges are applicable which are appropriate to the size and complexity of the land. Contact the Public Rights of Way Officer for details of the charges.


Landowner	Landowner address	Address of property	Date of deposit map	Date of latest statutory declaration	Declaration valid until
Taylor Wimpey Ltd	North House, Wessington Way, Sunderland, SR5 3RL	Land at Harrowgate Hill, Darlington	28/06/2011	31/01/2012	31/01/2022
Church Commissioners	Church House, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3AZ	South Durham Estate - land in Heighington, Walworth, Coatham Mundeville and Archdeacon Newton	13/07/2013	13/07/2013	12/07/2023
The Gibson O’Neill Company	Brignell Road, Riverside Park Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, TS2 1PS	Rockliffe Park – Rockliffe Hall Hotel and Middlesbrough Football Club	28/08/2014	28/08/2014	27/08/2034
Florence Madeline Godolphin	The Wattles, Fowey, Cornwall, PL23 1EF	The Old Rectory Cottage, Crosshills Barns and fields, Great Stainton, Stockton on Tees, TS21 1NA	06/09/2014	11/09/2014	10/09/2034
Smiths Gore on behalf of Taylor Wimpey Ltd.	Smiths Gore, 26 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7JX	Land at Harrowgate Hill, Darlington	26/09/2014	16/03/2015	25/09/2034
Messers Ball	Newbiggen Farm, Heighington, Darlington, DL2 2UH	Land at White House Lane, Heighington	17/9/2015	19/09/2015	17/09/2035