Next steps
The temporary closures cannot now be stopped. But the permanent diversion of your footpaths has not been decided. No Diversion Order has been made. The formal public consultation is yet to take place. Here is exactly what you can do right now:
1
Ask Old Bolsover Town Council to take a stand
Write to the town council clerk and ask them to formally resolve to object to any unsuitable permanent diversion, any switch to permissive paths and any future extinguishment of Footpaths 30, 31 and 33.
A formal town council resolution carries significant legal weight – far more than individual objections alone. It puts elected members on record and makes the community’s opposition impossible to ignore.
The next meeting is Tuesday 14th July 2026 at 6.45pm at Bainbridge Hall, Chapel Road, Carr Vale, S44 6JD. Public participation begins at 6.45pm. Attend if you can.
2
Ask Bolsover District Council to keep you informed
Write to Bolsover District Council Planning Department and formally request that they notify you the moment a Diversion Order application is submitted for Footpaths 30, 31 and 33. You cannot object to something you do not know has been applied for. Also ask them to require that any replacement paths are recorded on the Definitive Map as full public rights of way.
Derbyshire County Council has confirmed in writing that permissive paths are proposed. Permissive paths can be removed at any time without notice or legal process. That is not an acceptable substitute for the permanent legal rights this community holds.
3
Be ready to object when it matters the most
The permanent diversion of your footpaths has not been decided. No Diversion Order has been submitted to Bolsover
District Council. The formal public consultation is yet to take place. When the Diversion Order is submitted every
resident will have the legal right to formally object. Every single objection must be individually resolved.
One unresolved objection can force a full independent Planning Inspectorate hearing.
The developers cannot override objections.
The council cannot ignore them.
When it lands you need to act immediately: objection windows can be short.
Next step tool
A handy next steps tool to help you contact OBTC and BDC is coming soon…
About this campaign
This campaign was started by a local resident who believes these paths belong to this community – not to the developers who want to build on them. You do not need to be part of any group to object. You just need to care about your right to walk these paths. Every single objection submitted when the Diversion Order arrives counts. One unresolved objection can force a full independent public hearing that the developers cannot avoid. Footpaths closing from 1st July are 30, 31 and 33 in Bolsover initially these closures are temporary for up to 6 months.
In the spirit of transparency, claims on this website are marked as confirmed facts where the statement has been confirmed from a official or reputable source. The campaign’s position, or matters awaiting legal guidance from the Ramblers Association and the Open Spaces Society are . We are committed to accuracy and will update this website as new information is received.
What we are arguing
This is the campaigns position based on the confirmed evidence to date.
This is the campaigns position based on the confirmed evidence to date.
This is the campaigns position based on the confirmed evidence to date.
This is the campaigns position based on the confirmed evidence to date.
Facts checked, what the official documents confirm
Fact checked source: TC4444 official order, Derbyshire County Council
Fact checked source: TC4443 official order, Derbyshire County Council
Fact checked source: DCC response to email
Fact checked source: DCC response to email
Fact checked source: DCC response to email and Bolsover District Council Decision notice 25/00069/REM page 14
Fact checked source: Bolsover District Council Decision notice 25/00069/REM, condition 2
Fact checked source: Bolsover District Council Decision notice 25/00069/REM, advisory note 1