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Core Path Planning
M Dent provided an update on the core path planning process reporting that in excess of 400 people had attended the 20 public exhibitions held across the County, and 150 questionnaire responses returned to date. The majority of feedback from the public had been positive with very few negative comments. He circulated details of the consultation response in the form of list and maps, stressing that the data is in raw form and did not indicate a right of access or whether a route will be a candidate core path.
Responding to the Chairman on the source of the data included on the map, M Dent stated that 90% of the data had been based on comments received at the consultation events, and the remainder from descriptions in questionnaires or transcribed from publications such as that produced by the Sutherland Walkers Group.
Dr R G Park queried whether communities will have the opportunity to review this data to consider any omissions or errors. M Dent confirmed his intention to prepare a preliminary draft of candidate routes which would be circulated to Community Councils for comment, and as a separate issue to allow the opportunity for land ownership to be established.
Dr Park also queried whether Community Councils will be asked to rank paths in terms of priority. M Dent stated that paths would have to be measured against the core path criteria approved by the Council.
The Chairman opined that the next stage of the process will involve identifying candidate routes in terms of the core path criteria. A path will either fit the list of criteria or not, and that this will form the basis of judgement on candidate routes. The Area Administrator concurred that routes must be assessed against all the criteria despite the possible aspirations of a community.
M Dent explained that community demand forms one of the core path criteria. Therefore this type of consultation with Community Councils could be a useful way to establish the community view.
I Mitchell referred to the scenario where a Community Council complains because a path has been deleted after being assessed against the core path criteria. The Chairman advised that the Forum would review any such case. He also referred to the core path criteria which stated that a path must be safe and fit for purpose and the impact for paths on more difficult terrain or where no path exists.
Discussion then followed on the need to grade routes, so that the public are aware of the suitability and condition of a route. M Dent accepted the need for paths to suit the various landscapes in Sutherland and therefore the need for grading. However no Scottish standard exists for this and the issue is to be discussed at a meeting of Highland Access Officers.
The Chairman referred to the need to consider all the issues as the core path planning process continues. The Forum must be satisfied with the information circulated to Community Councils, and should have the opportunity to review the feedback so that it is alert to all relevant issues. M Dent cautioned for the need to adopt the same planning process across the Highlands.
The Forum agreed that the preliminary plan be submitted to the Forum at its meeting on 8 May 2006, with a view to being circulated to Community Councils as soon as possible after this date. Additionally it was agreed that the strong view of the Forum that Community Councils receive a copy of the preliminary plan be relayed to the appropriate parties as a Highland wide issue.
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