Accessible riverside footpath at Ferry Road, Pitlochry

What was proposed

The application proposed widening and resurfacing a riverside core path to create a two-metre accessible route, with a picnic table beside it.

“Proposal: Upgrading and widening of footpath…”

“The proposal is for the upgrading and widening of a riverside footpath along the River Tummel in Pitlochry. The path is an adopted core path (PRLY/56), running between the Category B-listed Port-na-Craig Bridge (LB Reference: LB39858) and the Category A-listed Pitlochry Dam (LB Reference: LB47534). The proposed works include widening sections of the path where required and resurfacing to provide an improved accessible route.”

Officer report

The site and setting

The path runs along the River Tummel between two listed structures and lies within land allocated as open space.

“The site is allocated as ‘open space’ within the LDP proposals map.”

Officer report

Planning history

There was no relevant site history, and no formal pre-application consultation was undertaken.

“Pre application Reference: No formal pre-application consultation was undertaken.”

“The proposed development is not classed as a major development in terms of the Town and Country Planning (Hierarchy of Developments) (Scotland) Regulations 2009, therefore the applicant was not required to undertake not any formal pre-application consultation with the local community.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal complied with the Development Plan and no material considerations justified departing from it.

“To conclude, the application must be determined in accordance with the Development Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. In this…”

Officer report

What consultees said

The community council objected over consultation, landowner notification, land use, safety, drainage, materials, residential amenity and policy, while council services raised no objections.

“Pitlochry & Moulin Community Council (PMCC) - Objection. The concerns raised include a lack of community consultation and inadequate notification to affected landowners. PMCC consider the development to represent an unjustified change of use of public green space. Further issues have been highlighted regarding safety, drainage, and the suitability of the proposed surface materials.”

“Community Greenspace - No comments received.”

Officer report

What residents said

Fourteen objections raised concerns including disturbance, privacy, litter, toilets, traffic, surfacing, drainage and biodiversity; six supporters welcomed improved access and recreation.

“Loss of the area’s character and increased disturbance from higher footfall. • Privacy concerns for properties backing onto the path. • Increased litter and no provision for bins or regular collection. • No toilet facilities, leading to fears of continued or increased use of woodland as informal toilets. • Potential road safety issues and parking congestion in Tummel Crescent, which is a narrow cul-de-sac.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector and the applicant’s agent addressed the committee and answered members’ questions.

The committee debate

A councillor proposed approving the application without the picnic bench, but the amendment failed because it had no seconder.

“25/01289/FLL - Upgrading and widening of footpath, land 40 metres south west of The Pavilion, Ferry Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5DD (Report No. 26/7) [name withheld], objector, followed by [name withheld], agent on behalf of the applicant, addressed the committee, and answered members questions. Councillor K Allan moved an Amendment to approve the application without the installation of a picnic bench. Having failed to secure a seconder, the Amendment fell.”

Minutes