DORSET County Council has lost a case at the Supreme Court after it rejected a rights of way application.

The case related to applications to add rights for mechanically propelled vehicles on to the Definitive Map and Statement, a record of public rights of way in Dorset, made by the Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF).

The ruling means that Dorset County Council was wrong to reject applications by the TRF claiming public vehicular rights on five rights of way in Dorset, and brings an end to a long-running battle after the matter was heard in the High Court, Court of Appeal and finally the Supreme Court.

The TRF submitted application maps that the council considered were not of the required scale.

The county council had considered different interpretations of the applicable law before rejecting the applications, but its ruling was thrown out by the Supreme Court.

Cllr Robert Gould, Leader of the county council said:“I am pleased that the Supreme Court recognised that this matter was an arguable point of law of general public importance.

“This ruling gives us a reasoned balanced outcome that we can apply consistently in the future.

“Modifications to the definitive map often raise opposing viewpoints.

“Our job is to consider the evidence presented and apply the law before deciding whether the map and statement should be changed.”

The ruling means that the five applications will now be considered and the public rights for mechanically propelled vehicles will be fully consulted on.

Full judgement and summary can be found at www.supremecourt.uk/decided-cases/index.shtml