What is a rights of way land search?

We provide a rights of way land search service to advise landowners/potential buyers/planners on the existence of rights of way in a specified area. It is important to know about any rights of way as they can impact on what you are able to do with the land, and you could be responsible for their maintenance.Rights of way are highways and as such they must be open and available for use by the public at all times.  

If you want to find out whether a road is an adopted highway, or any other information about road schemes, you need to request a different search from the Highways team at the County Council. Visit the adopted highways pages for more information.

How could this service help me?

A land search to establish the existence and route of a right of way can be useful for many reasons:

  • If you are buying a property / landholding - to see if it has a right of way across it
  • If you are thinking of changing the use of the land, e.g. pasture/grass fields into horse paddocks - the existence of a right of way may affect how you can use the land and should be considered before any development takes place
  • If you are planning a development or building works – to ensure you don’t obstruct any rights of way

Requesting a land search

You can request a land search in person, in writing or via a solicitor.

In person - FREE

You can visit our offices in West Bridgford (just south of Nottingham city) at any time during office hours to view the Definitive Map and Statement, the legal record of rights of way for Nottinghamshire, on which you can base a decision about the existence of a right of way.

By post/email/fax - £5 (this increases to £6 from 1 July 2009)

If you would like us to provide legally binding advice on the location of a right of way (eg if you are buying a property) you can request a land search. This can be a direct request to the Countryside Access team or it can be made via your solicitor.

To process a search we need:

  • A plan or map with the area to be searched clearly marked
  • The address of the area to be searched
  • A description to indicate the area in which you are interested in searching
  • Your contact details (telephone or email, postal address)

We aim to respond to search requests within 7 working days.

If you would like to speak to one of our Land Searches team for further advice about rights of way land searches please email row.landsearches@nottscc.gov.uk or call us on 0115 9772362.

What is a right of way?

Find out more about rights of way

Temporary Closures

We provide a record of temporary closures of rights of way

Definitive Map and Statement

Information about the legal record of paths for Nottinghamshire.

Modification Order register

Look up applications for additions and changes to the Definitive Map and Statement.

Countryside Access information

Information about walking cycling and horse riding in Nottinghamshire.
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