Residents’ dismay as fence blocks off lane
But owner says move is for safety and that area is not a‘path’
Residents in a Balfron street say a two-metre fence has been erected across a footpath.
Villagers say that the lane - which does not have a name - was part of a green route.
But property owner Paul Henke - who says he put up the fence for safety reasons - disagrees, assuring that it has not been used as a path in 40 years.
He said a gate on the fence is unlocked. In 2018 Mr Henke was given planning consent to build two houses in the garden of his property.
These were built next to the disputed lane.
It was previously used as the access for a farmer’s field before the field was developed and became the houses of Endrick Gardens.
It runs between the main road in Balfron, Buchanan Street, near the petrol station and Endrick Gardens.
But residents say that, following construction at Mr Henke’s property, the solid timber fence was erected across the adjacent footpath, cutting off access to residents.
In a joint statement, a group of residents said: “The lane is identified as a key component in the local ‘Space for Living Project’ as a ‘green route’.
“It runs between Mr Henke’s house and another house building site. Construction on this site stopped and the site is currently secured with fencing.
“There have been concerns that the abandoned building site poses issues of safety for either the householders or path users.
“This assessment of the safety of the lane is at odds with the views of local residents, who say the route is perfectly safe as security fencing has been installed and they fear further delay in unblocking the lane will result in the permanent loss of this public path and prevent development of the hoped for cycle and pedestrian green route.”
Mr Henke was one of the candidates for the Forth and Endrick ward in yesterday’s (Thursday) council elections.
He stood as a Tory candidate for the ward.
The residents added: “Should he be elected, Mr Henke would be asked to take action to remove his own fence enabling his constituents to regain use of the footpath.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said that they would not comment on the situation as “this is a private matter”.
Mr Henke said: “I had to put a temporary fence up to prevent my grandchildren from having access to the dangerous abandoned building site next to the lane.
“It has an unlocked gate in it to provide access.
“I have contacted the council over an extended period to discuss the safety of the site.
“This area has not been a path in the 24 years since we moved to Balfron and our neighbour reckons at least 40 years.
“We have spent a long time and considerable expense clearing the overgrown vegetation and the eradication of Japanese Knotweed from the area.
“We did not block an existing path as there was not one there.
“Last October we requested a site visit with the council to discuss the situation. The council contacted us last week and have suggested an online meeting. I look forward to hearing what the council have to suggest and I will be delighted for them to make a proper, safe path - something I will indeed pursue if elected.”