Scheme could force landowners to ensure public spaces are tidy

Owners of land in public places may soon be forced to maintain the areas under a new scheme being explored by Fife Council.

Councillors have asked officers to explore the possibility of serving notices on landowners of public spaces, ordering them to keep them tidy.

This would also allow the council to carry out the work and recover the cost from the owner, if the notice is not complied with.

It comes after members of the south and west Fife area committee previously asked officers to investigate if bylaws could be used to force the owners to maintain spaces to an acceptable standard.

The issue had been raised by Conservative councillor for Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay Dave Dempsey, who highlighted the fact that the council cuts grass at areas like Longhill Park but will not touch trees unless there is an immediate danger to the public.

Officials have now come back to confirm that byelaws would not work as they typically regulate behaviour but said the council does have the power to serve notice.

Mr Dempsey has welcomed the approach, which officers will now consider further.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that the amenity of Dalgety Bay is adversely affected and that it’s only going to get worse,” he said.

“It may come to nothing but, for the first time, there is a glimmer of light through the branches.”

June Barrie, legal service manager, confirmed the council, as planning authority, can issue a notice requiring the proper maintenance of land under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.