Drumoig path shifted nearer golf course in face of safety concern

A public walkway near a Fife golf course is to be rerouted despite fears users could be hit by balls.

A short section of the core path at Drumoig is to be diverted adjacent to the golf course to give more privacy to occupants of a new house.

Several locals objected but Fife Council’s north-east Fife area committee approved promotion of an order to divert the path between Craigie and Forgan, under town and country planning legislation.

The land owner, who has conducted a risk assessment of the new route, offered assurance that walkers would be safe, particularly as golfers will also use the path to access Drumoig Golf Course.

The application was dealt with by the new committee as a matter of urgent business, as the existing path is temporarily closed for health and safety reasons while the house is built.

Some committee members attempted to delay the decision, as they felt they had been given insufficient time to properly consider a report issued only the day before.

But they were told that due to the summer recess it would likely be August before it could be dealt with.

Cupar councillor Tony Miklinksi said it was “unacceptable” to ask members to decide, as some had only seen the report as they arrived for the meeting.

Howe of Fife and Tay Coast councillor Linda Holt said objectors were unaware the item was being discussed at the meeting and had had no opportunity to lobby councillors.

She said: “If we now approve this it will look to them as if this has been done on the quick on the sly.”

Tay Bridgehead councillor Tim Brett agreed the lack of notice was unfortunate but said: “It is a relatively minor move of the path, we are talking about a maximum of 10 metres away from the current path. It seems to me a better way of resolving this is to get on and agree the diversion and a proper path can be constructed.”