The Access to the Countryside (Northern Ireland) Order 1983

Temporary closure or diversion N.I.

19.—(1) If, on the application of the occupier of land over which there is a public path or any other person, the district council is satisfied that it is expedient in the interests of good farming or forestry or otherwise temporarily to close or divert the path, the district council may order the closure or diversion of the path for such period, not exceeding three months, as may be specified in the order.

(2) In deciding whether to make an order under paragraph (1) the district council shall take into account the interests of users of the path.

(3) Before refusing to make an order under paragraph (1) the district council shall consult the Department.

(4) On the making of an order under paragraph (1) the district council shall forthwith cause a copy of the order to be placed in a prominent position at the ends of the path close or diverted and maintained there throughout the period of closure or diversion.

(5) An order under paragraph (1) diverting a public path shall not be made unless written consent to the making of the order has been given by the occupier of the land on to which the path is diverted and by any person whose consent is needed to obtain access to the land.

(6) An order under paragraph (1) diverting a public path may, if the applicant is the occupier of land over which the public path passes, require as a condition of the taking effect of the order the provision of any necessary facilities for the convenient use of the diversion and the district council may enter into an agreement with the applicant for the provision of any such facilities by the district council as the expense of the applicant.