Protecting against future claims

If you are a landowner, you can deposit with us a map of your land with a statement detailing any Public Rights of Way which you acknowledge already exist on your land. You can then submit a statutory declaration stating that you have not dedicated any additional ways to the public.

This may help to protect you from future claims based on user evidence that might be made to record additional Public Rights of Way over your land. You should submit a repeat statutory declaration at least every 10 years to ensure continued protection.

These deposits are dealt with by our Legal Services section. There is more information below, but if you need to find out more, contact Legal Services on 01865 323919 or Oxfordshire County Council, Legal Services, County Hall, New Road, Oxford, OX1 1ND. 

Guidance notes

• Oxfordshire County Council's guidance notes (pdf format, 19Kb)

More detailed legal information and template forms are available from the Institute of Public Rights of Way and Access Management.

Search for a statement

You can search our register of statements, maps and supporting declarations by landowners, protecting against requests for new public highways over their land.

More information

For further guidance on the procedure, to make such a deposit, or to inspect the register of deposits, please contact:

Oxfordshire County Council
Legal Services
County Hall
New Road
Oxford
OX1 1ND

Tel: 01865 323919