Author Topic: Gates for Public Footpaths (Read 6872 times)

Lotta · « **on:** January 08, 2014, 05:32:53 pm »

We are just about to fence in a field which has a public footpath running across it to graze horses and sheep. The council requires planning permission for this due to the footpath and apparently rarely consent to stiles. What are people's views on the safest options to allow access for the public. I am a bit concerned about normal opening gates as this would rely on the general public to close them but I am wondering if sheep might be able to get out of kissing gates. Does anyone have experience to help me please. Many thanks

bloomer · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2014, 05:43:01 pm »

you can get gates with springs that mean they close automatically...

would that work?

lachlanandmarcus · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2014, 09:18:06 pm »

You can get kissing gates of different designs. Some are better than others re sheep. Ideally I would install the kissing gate and fence off the path from the animals, if only because walkers = dogs, most of whom may not be as well trained with sheep (through lack of opportunity or skill) as you may need.

shygirl · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2014, 09:26:50 pm »

definitely get a tightly sprung gate with a bolt that will close properly (dont know what they are called but often have long handles)

cloddopper · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2014, 11:33:46 pm »

Quote from: Lotta on January 08, 2014, 05:32:53 pm

We are just about to fence in a field which has a public footpath running across it to graze horses and sheep. The council requires planning permission for this due to the footpath and apparently rarely consent to stiles. What are people's views on the safest options to allow access for the public. I am a bit concerned about normal opening gates as this would rely on the general public to close them but I am wondering if sheep might be able to get out of kissing gates. Does anyone have experience to help me please. Many thanks

you can get metal kissing gates with metal surrounds that are spring closed ..
Put the gate so that the spring closes in the gate away from the field in which your stock are in ..

Mind they are not cheap but they are robust , reliable and not likely to see you having a claim made against you .

Your local authority footpaths officer might be able to indicate which sort of gate they would prefer to see on the foot paths and that's more than half the battle won for you .
I'll see if I can find a link to one

Here you are , there is a self closing one " jacksons-fencing.co.uk ".

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #5 on:** January 09, 2014, 08:56:30 am »

We get a lot of tourists on our farm as we span Hadrian's Wall at one of the venues.

We have all sorts of gates and there will be the odd accident with any of them!

But generally the sheep do not get through new / well-maintained kissing gates, no. We do have one old and tired one that they do use

but on the whole they work. For the most part our fields have a kissing gate for walkers next to a field gate for us - and we do find that the walkers will on the whole use the kissing gate and not open the field gate, risking then not shutting it properly.

All of our kissing gates are the spring-loaded type, and although the sheep could push through them from the shutting side, they generally don't.

Herdygirl · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2014, 08:54:54 pm »

http://www.durham.gov.uk/Pages/Service.aspx?ServiceId=6150

Have found this guidance on stiles, may be helpful, I would put stiles in, and have done with no problems, you only have to provide access to the path. Councils often insist on you getting planning permission to get some money out of you. as the giuidance says .. you can't put a gate in if there wasn't one there previously unless it is to control stock.

I wish you good luck with your local planning department

Bramblecot · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2014, 11:40:47 pm »

In this area, the gates with long vertical handles are called 'hunting' gates. They are often on bridleways so that horse riders can open them without dismounting.

stufe35 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2014, 04:32:40 pm »

I would join the cla and get specialist advice from them they protect the landowner , councils and planning authorities agenda is what ever comes into their head, whatever suits them personally, and protecting public access. (Being slightly scynical). Have a look on the cla website.

bazzais · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2014, 02:34:54 pm »

You dont need planning permission to fence around accommodation land - I presume you are talking about fence and not a 8" x 10" garden panel fence around a house or something?

Gates are a nuisance because people will leave it open - stiles are great and if you have a gate by it put a chain round it.

Gates are easy to erect so they are self closing when kept well.

To be honest its upto the council to maintain footpaths with clear and safe access so you could suggest that you are putting a 'hole' in the fence blocked with a sheep hurdle and its upto them if they want anything better. If you are lingo with them already.

If you are not involved with planning yet - build a fence to protect your boundary and animals and animals outside your boundary from each other (makes sense) - put a home made stile in.

You are never going to goto court because of improper or unsafe structures - unless it is.

People who fall over on pretty much anything when out for a walk ove your land when using footpaths - more often than not wont have a leg to stand on (parden the pun) if it comes to sueing you becuase they have seen an advert on TV for claims and have nothing else to do.

bazzais · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2014, 02:40:27 pm »

Might even be worth holding back altogether and saying you have a problem with the footpath walkers - and get the council to come and fence it all.

Seems to me that if you are proactive in work you end up with all the headaches - but landowners who dont give a hoot - get their land fenced for free. Seems like that on the pembrokeshire path anyway.