Core Path Planning

The Final Draft Core Paths Plan is available for download.

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 places a duty on the Council to develop a Core Path Plan within three years of the Act coming into effect. The Plan will be sufficient for the purpose of giving the public reasonable access throughout the county and may include existing designated routes such as rights of way and public paths.

It is presumed that in exercising their new right to responsible access, most people will prefer to use clearly defined paths. Identifying a network of Core Paths will not only help the public to enjoy the outdoors, but also assist landowners and farmers in the management of access, particularly over agricultural land.

Final Draft Core Paths Plan Cover The final draft of the Core Paths Plan has been developed through previous consultation with local communities, the Access Forum, Scottish Natural Heritage and other key stakeholders.

The Final Draft Core Paths Plan and associated Strategic Environmental Assessment were subject to formal consultation from 21st July 2008 until the 13th October 2008.

Formal objections and comments can be found on the Final Draft Core Paths Plan and Strategic Environmental Assessment pages. These require to be analysed and any objections resolved or referred to an inquiry prior to the plan being adopted.

Timetable for Core Paths Plan
From Oct 2008	Step 10 - Analyse representations/objections Step 11 - Resolve objections/inquiry Step 12 - Adopt the Plan

Should you wish to review the previous version of the core path plan from October 2007 and its associated consultation responses, copies of the documents have been archived on our website.