Right to roam at Dallerie
Strath residents have claimed their access rights have been challenged while out walking at Dallerie Playing Fields in Crieff.
Several concerned locals contacted Crieff Community Council (CCC) in recent months to raise their frustration at “being challenged on a regular basis by a member of the grounds staff” when walking on open land at the site, where new sports facilities for Morrison’s Academy are currently being put in place.
On Monday evening, the school’s new bursar, Maxine Butler, attended the monthly CCC meeting and stressed the importance of good communication with the community.
CCC has written to Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) to ask for a definitive legal response on the access issue, including in the letter a case for access being permitted to the public in line with the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 legislation and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Group chair Craig Finlay read excerpts of a reply received from PKC, which stated there is no right to roam over school playing fields while they are in use.
He also urged locals to be responsible when walking at Dallerie.
Mr Finlay said: “Of course, it has been highlighted by PKC in their reply that, while construction work is being carried out at the site, the public should not be expected to access the land for safety reasons - and at other times, access must be conducted responsibly.
“There is no c o n s t r uction work being undertaken at the moment.
“I know Morrison’s Academy is having issues with some dog owners allowing fouling to happen, and it is right that these people should be challenged when this occurs.
“I hope this brings a resolution to the confusion.”