The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Residents say no way to path housing plan
Homes bid on site of 100-yearold path opposed
A century-old path in Perth could be obliterated by a new housing development.
Plans have been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council for three properties to be built on the route between Needless Road and Cavendish Avenue in the Craigie area of the city.
Residents believe the path to be a right of way, saying it is used by hundreds of people every day.
Perth and Kinross Council says the path is not on its register of rights of way but the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society says this does not mean it is not one.
Residents say the route is used by children walking to school and any change would force them to make a halfmile detour, as no provision has been made in the plans for a new path.
In a letter of objection, John Sime said the path had been in existence since the building of 63 and 65 Needless Road 105 years ago.
He said: “The path is used daily by very many residents in this area, especially schoolchildren, their parents, people going to work, elderly folk going to their nearest shop, people going up to the hospital and also by one of the councillors in this area. I am not exaggerating when I say hundreds of people use this path daily.
“I would suggest to the committee that you look closely at the plans in an effort to maintain the right of way – a path of, say, two metres in width is all that is required.
“If this development does go ahead, I wish to register my objection unless a right of passage is maintained.”
A council spokesman said: “The land is not a registered right of way. The land is now under private ownership and they have a planning application going through the planning process.”
However, the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society says a path does not need to be registered to be a right of way.
A spokeswoman said: “The route in question clearly links two public places and its line is defined. It is our understanding that it is well used by the general public as a valued shortcut between the two roads. It is also said to be used as a route to school.
“The information received by the society to date indicates that the route may well be an unrecorded right of way.”
I am not exaggerat– ing when I say hundreds of people use this path daily.
JOHN SIME