HUNDREDS of appeals have been lodged by landowners challenging hikers' new rights to roam across their private acres.
Latest figures from the Government's Planning Inspectorate show that three-quarters of appeals were successful across the Pennine region, including Kirklees and Calderdale.
Of 722 appeals, 70.8% were won.
Under the Countryside Rights of Way Act, vast tracts of land previously off limits to walkers have now been opened up.
However, as part of the extensive consultation and appeals process, owners have been able to forbid walkers from certain areas of their land.
One of the most publicised successful appeals in the south of England was that of Madonna and Guy Ritchie's estate in Wiltshire.
The Country Land and Business Association Yorkshire adviser Jane Harrison said: "We are not in the least surprised that so many appeals have been won.
"In many cases it shouldn't have been necessary for landowners to appeal against what were clearly mapping mistakes."
