Prisoners make start on sprucing up unkempt land in Longforgan

Work has started to tidy up overgrown green spaces in the Carse of Gowrie following a pledge from the local prison.

Inmates at Castle Huntly had offered to spruce up unkempt land near Mary Findlay Drive in Longforgan but had been told not to start work until the landowner is found.

The two parcels of land in the street have caused residents grief over the past two years after being abandoned by the landowners who built the surrounding estate.

It was hoped the problem was solved last month when the governor of HMP Castle Huntly approached Carse of Gowrie councillor Angus Forbes and offered to help get the area tidied up, saying prisoners could start work almost immediately.

As the land is owned by a private individual, their permission is needed before any work can begin.

But a loophole in the law allows any vegetation which is impeding the public walkways around it to be removed. As a result, prisoners have been able to cut back some of the sprawling greenery.

Mr Forbes said he receives weekly calls from residents angry at the untidy and overgrown land.

The start is welcome news to the Conservative councillor, but he still hopes the landowner, who Perth and Kinross Council are struggling to trace, will come forward and grant permission.

Mr Forbes said: “What a huge difference the prisoners from Castle Huntly have made to the area around Mary Findlay Drive.

“Sadly, they are only allowed to deal with bits which overhang public spaces until we get permission from the owners. “Hopefully this makes a difference, though.

“This is a ludicrous situation. I am utterly frustrated by this.”