Pushing a pram along a path

Update: 15th June 2010.  The Final Approved Draft Core Paths Plan was submitted to the Scottish Government together with objections to the plan on Wednesday 9th June 2010.  See 'what happens next?' below for further details.

What is a core path?

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 states 'it is the duty of the local authority...to draw up a plan for a system of paths ('core paths') sufficient for the purpose of giving the public reasonable access throughout their area'.

These 'core paths' systems will be available for recreation and everyday journeys by local people and visitors, providing opportunities for walking, cycling, riding and other activities for all ages and abilities; and once in place, will form an invaluable nationwide resource.

Core paths will be of particular benefit close to where people live, and will be key elements in the path networks that will extend from the centre of settlements through public open spaces and green corridors to connect with the urban fringe and the wider countryside. They will provide access to:

• Beaches
   
• Parks
   
• Woodlands
   
• Hills
   
• Historic sites
   
• Riverbanks, loch shores and launch points
   
• Link settlements and towns/villages.

The Draft Core Path Plan

The routes for core paths are shown in the maps accompanying the Draft Plan. These are draft maps that are the result of over three years of consultation.

The consultation is now closed but the maps are still available to view in draft form.

Click here to see The Draft  Fife Core Paths Plan

Click here to view the Draft Core Path Maps.

What happens next?

The Final Draft Core Paths Plan was approved by Fife Council Planning Committee on 26th January, along with 111 unwithdrawn objections.  The Final Approved Draft Plan was submitted to the Scottish Government on Wednesday 9th June, along with supporting statements and information about all 173 valid objections,  that is, both withdrawn and not withdrawn ones.

The Government will now ask the Department of Environment and Planning Appeals to hold a public inquiry.  This process is usually completed within 6 months of them receiving the information, so we will expect to have the report from this early in 2011.

Core Paths Plan public inquiries are usually held by written submission and only in exceptional circumstances will a hearing be held.  All objectors will be contacted by the Reporter in due course and given the opportunity to respond to the Council's submission.

A copy of all the annexes (the final approved draft plan), and the statements of case are available for public viewing in Kirkcaldy Central library (opening times: Mon-Thu 9.30am - 7pm, Fri-Sat 9.30am - 5pm), and electronically listed below.  The current draft core paths map is on the link on this page.

Statements of Case

City of Dunfermline - Withdrawn Statements

City of Dunfermline - Non-Withdrawn Statements

Cowdenbeath - Withdrawn Statements

Cowdenbeath - Non-Withdrawn Statements

Glenrothes - Withdrawn Statements

Glenrothes - Non-Withdrawn Statements

Levenmouth - Non-Withdrawn Statements

Multi-Ward Non-Withdrawn Statements

Kirkcaldy - Withdrawn Statements

Kirkcaldy - Non-Withdrawn Statements

North East Fife - Withdrawn Statements

North East Fife - Non-Withdrawn Statements 32839-34315 & Lade Braes

North East Fife - Non-Withdrawn Statements 34731-84583

South West Fife - Withdrawn Statements

South West Fife - Non-Withdrawn Statements

 Annexes

1a Fife Draft Consultative Core Paths Plan

1b Draft Consultative Fife Core Path Plan SEA Environmental Report

2 Fife Access Strategy Review 2006 - 2016 Final Report

3 Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 Part 1 (link takes you to an external site)

4 Scottish Outdoor Access Code (link takes you to an external site)

5 Guidance for Local Authorities & National Park Authorities, Part 1, Land Reform (Scotland) Act (link takes you to an external site)

6 Core Path Plan - Guide to good practice (link takes you to an external site)

7 Fife Council Area Transport Plan, East Fife (link takes you to an external site)

8 Fife Council Area Transport Plan, Central Fife (link takes you to an external site)

9 Fife Council Area Transport Plan, West Fife (link takes you to an external site)

10 Cycling Charter For Fife

11 Involvement of Statutory Consultees

12 Public Consultation Process

13 Core Path Planning Evaluation & Cost & Resource Model

14 Fife Access Forum Minutes

15 Fife Access Steering Group Minutes

16 1st Stage Consultation Public Comments

17 2nd Stage Consultation Public Comments

18 Fife Access Forum comments on final responses to objections/representations

19 Dog Leaflets (link takes you to an external site)

20 Core Path Planning Background Notes from Consultations

21 Fieldfare Trust Report

22 Fife Council Planning Committee Papers and minutes (see publications below)

23 Burntisland Consultations - not available electronically - view at Kirkcaldy Reference Library