Stiles and gates

Stiles and gates belong to the owner of the land. However we have created a situation which we hope will encourage landowners to keep these structures in good repair.

Our approach is one of maximum convenience and therefore our philosophy is “gap, gate, stile” meaning a gap is the preferred option and a stile is a last resort.

We have little control over existing structures because they belong to the owner of the land. If we are authorising a new structure we will insist that the application is considered against our approach in the first instance.

Gate and stile construction service
If you feel that you do not have the time to erect one of our free gates or stiles then don't worry. We will erect it for you. We charge £50+ VAT per structure.

Our approach to gates and stiles in disrepair
Here are our guidelines:

  • We are obliged by law to offer you a minimum of 25% grant aid towards the repair of the gate or stile.

  • If you have a stile in disrepair we will ask if you are prepared to remove it and leave a gap. Other options are:

    • Retaining the stile at that point, providing you can justify it, we will supply you with a free stile in lieu of grant aid.

    • If you are willing to erect a gate at that point, and you can justify it, we will supply you with a free gate in lieu of grant aid.

  • If you have a gate in disrepair then we will ask if you are prepared to remove it and leave a gap. If not, and you can justify retaining the gate, then we will supply you with a free gate.

  • If you insist on keeping the stile we will offer you a free stile kit in lieu of grant aid. Our stiles are robust and designed in line with the British Standard.

  • If we run out of stock (and we do because this is a popular scheme) we will offer you 50% grant aid for the repair or replacement of existing gates or stiles.

Read more about our enforcement.

I have a ladder stile on my property - will you offer grant aid for me to replace it?
If possible we would encourage you to remove it or replace it with a more appropriate structure. However, we will offer grant aid at a level of 25%.

I injured myself on a broken stile and I want to seek compensation. Who is responsible?
Stiles and gates belong to the owner of the land. The Data Protection Act prevents us from providing you with details of landownership.

What should I include within my claim for grant aid?
You will need to include copies of invoices for materials and labour. Please note, we reserve the right to query the detail of the claim and cost of materials.

How soon will I be paid?
You should receive your payment within one month of the receipt of your validated invoices. We will write to you to inform you when we have passed your claim for payment.

Will you offer grant aid for the repair of my squeeze stiles because this will mean rebuilding the wall - how is the grant aid calculated?
We will provide grant aid for stiles passing through or over walls. We do not offer grant aid for the rebuilding of the wall either side of a squeeze stile.

If my land management practices change in the future can I erect a stile or put in a gate?
You may only do this with our consent.
Please contact your local Rights of Way Inspector for more information - Call Derbyshire 08 456 058 058.

The Highways Act 1980 requires us to approve any new gate or stile. Gates or stiles built without our consent will be treated as obstructions unless it can be approved.

I allow my livestock to graze the field in a controlled way which means I have to erect electric fencing across the path. Can I temporarily divert the path?
No. You will need to build a temporary structure in the fencing to allow the public to use the path.

I don’t want dogs in my fields and I’m going to stop walkers bringing their dogs on my land by changing the stiles.
Please read the animals page for more information.

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