More footpaths and public rights of way in the Chilterns could now be saved after new rules on land ownership were introduced this week.

The Open Spaces Society has welcomed the news that public footpaths now have to be identified before land containing rights of way is sold.

It enables groups like the Open Spaces Society to campaign against the selling of land containing footpaths before they are sold.

The new rules came into effect on Monday, July 4 in the form of a compulsory document for landowners to complete before selling up.

Open Spaces Society's general secretary Kate Ashbrook, who was named Outdoor Personality of the year 2015 by magazine The Great Outdoors, said she was delighted at the news.

She said: “We have for many years lobbied the Law Society to amend the form to include this information and we are delighted to have been successful.

“We also argued that information about registered common land and village greens should be a compulsory question [before the land is purchased] but unfortunately that has remained on the list of optional questions.”

The Open Spaces Society was founded in 1865 and campaigns for the protection of common land, town and village greens, open spaces and public paths.

It also assists communities in safeguarding green spaces for future generations to enjoy.

She added that the battle to save public land is far from over. but admitted it would be “a big step forward" for preventing more rambling routes from disappearing.