Core path plan will attract walkers to Perthshire

Jun 9 2009 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE popularity of Perth and Kinross as a destination for walkers, cyclists and horse riders has given the council’s consultation access officers a mammoth task of establishing a draft core paths plan.

They have also had to deal with an avalanche of objections numerous paths.

Each local authority in Scotland was required to produce a core paths plan as part of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

Emerging from public consultation and a substantial response from local communities, individuals, landowners/managers and outdoor organisations has been a core path network for Perth and Kinross.

It has more kilometres than its public roads and in excess of 1000 responses – far greater than any other local authority.

The 12-week consultation resulted in 1153 responses, of which 897 were valid objections, with a relatively even split between requests for additions and deletions.

This week the council’s environment committee gave their unanimous approval to the modified Draft Core Paths Plan. It was explained to councillors that the final draft of the Core Plan was likely to be ready to go to the Reporters’ unit of the Scottish government in September.

The next stage is a local inquiry to deal with outstanding objections before the paths plan can be formally adopted. It’s expected to be within six months of the modified Draft Core Paths Plan going to Scottish Ministers.

Environment convener Alan Grant said: “Getting something like this right is going to be exceptionally difficult. I have been encouraged by the wide range of people who have got involved which reflects well on the level of interest in our countryside.”

Councillor Bob Ellis stressed the huge amount of work and diligence by council staff which resulted in getting the process to its current stage.

Councillor John Law said: “I hope some of the obstructiveness from some landowners will be given short-shrift by Reporters.”

He added: “This process is a voyage of discovery but I am confident we will see the benefit and the core paths network will be a valuable resource for the whole community.”

See www.pkc.gov.uk