Minute of Meeting held in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Dingwall on Wednesday, 12th December 2007 at 2.00 p.m.

Present:-

Mr John Mackenzie (Chair)
Mr Richard Wallace (Vice-Chair) (Item 1 -3)
Ms Cattie Anderson
Mr Fraser Fotheringham
Dr Stewart Campbell (Item 1 – 3)
Mr James Hislop
Mr Robin Chalmers
Mr Robin Forrest
Mr Hector Munro

Councillor Isabelle Campbell (Part of Item 3)

In Attendance:

Mr George Hamilton, Natural Resources Manager, Highland Council
Mr Philip Waite, Access Officer, Highland Council
Ms Cheryl Thomson, Administrative Assistant, Highland Council

(Chair – Mr John Mackenzie)

1. Apologies for Absence

Apologies for absence were intimated on behalf of Mr Ewan A MacPherson, Ms Kristine MacKenzie,  Mr Geoff Robson, Councillor Isobel McCallum, Councillor Alan Torrance and Mr Robert Bain.

2. Confirmation of Minutes

The Minute of Meeting of 13th September 2007 was submitted and approved.

3. Core Path Planning

There had been circulated a paper Core Path Planning (26kb) by the Access Officer inviting Members to consider the draft Core Path Plan for Ross and Cromarty and agree its submission to the Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee on 23rd January 2008.

The Access Officer also submitted a schedule summarising proposed additions and omissions which had arisen as a result of the consultation.

Following discussion, the Forum agreed the draft Core Paths Plan for Ross and Cromarty and its submission to the Council’s Planning Environment and Development Committee subject to the following additions and omissions: -

Map A

CP Cullicuden - Designate path from St Martins Mill to unclassified road and from school to cemetery as Core Paths for the sake of sufficiency and connectivity of the network.

Map 1 

To add track leading to and paths in Tallich Nature Reserve subject to assessment by Access Officer

Map 3 

Not to add Barbaraville-Milton to Polnicol Hall as cannot guarantee completion in 2 years

Add as candidate Core path Road between 635.01 and 635.02

Map 4

Not to add Shore Road Cycle Route as cannot guarantee completion in 2 years

or the route at Kincraig Kennels as did not meet assessment.

Map 5 

Retain 603.04 as a Core Path to Yankee Pier but remove section through Distillery.

Add the track West of Boath to Kildermorie and Braeantra subject to assessment by Access Officer.

Cannot add Alness to Roskeen (A9) or Shore Road as cycle routes as cannot guarantee completion in 2 years.

Not to add the link between Alness and Ardross, by Cnoc Navie and Achandunie as Candidate as insufficient demand.

Map 6 

CP Map 616.02 Balconie Point - Core Path should be retained as local demand substantial and meets several selection criteria. Access Officer has checked that  ‘industrial’ label applies to land only when developed not upon designation.

Map 7 

Noted the comments from SNH that the Wider Access Network routes within Novar SPA made need some revision

Map 8 

611.08 Ladies Walk, Cromarty - Retain route as a Core Path as path shows significant use, was not considered unsafe and not impinging on curtilage.

Connectivity of routes around Cromarty would be on roads and links to 618.11 are with the wider access network

To be investigated by the Access Officer on whether 608.02 be extended East to Udale Farm then Northwest to wood above Jemimaville then to village.

Retain 618.11 the existing forest road that links the A832 to the C class Eathie Road as a Core Path Network route.

Map 9 

Retain Wider Access Network routes on the north & south shores of Munlochy Bay SPA

Retain Wider access routes in Rosehaugh Estate but to be investigated by Access Officer.

Leave Wider Access Network routes in Feddonhill Wood.

To be investigated by the Access Officer whether to add Rosehaugh High Drive and (633.06) link at Wester Strath.

and link from Killen to Rosehaugh via Burnfarm.

Map 10 

612.05 - Retain a route at Bogbuies and the ‘Military road’ between Mount Eagle mast and the Knockbain Road as part of the Core Path. Route had been altered after FCS comment.

612.04 – Omit as a Core Path and replace route as a Wider Access Network route.

Omit section on 636.07 leading to a scheduled ancient monument.

Retain 633.06 as a Core Path with the inclusion of Military Road between Mount Eagle mast and Wester Strath. As essential link through middle of Black Isle, substantial use by public, management issues can be dealt with by co-operation and do not limit designation.

Remove Wider Access route through Allangrange.

Map 11 

636.04 – This was altered to Linear ridge route after FCS comment and will remain as a Core Path.

636.05 – Changes recommend by the Forestry Commission have been incorporated on the maps to have a Core Path from North Kessock to the summit of Ord Hill

Map 12 

To be investigated by the Access Officer whether additional Wider Access Networks and links on roads are required around Dingwall.

Not to add St Andrews Road to Telford Gardens as does not link to wider network or route between sites of old and new Academies as currently in dispute.

Map 13 

631.02 Dunglass Island, Brahan - Retain route as Core Path due to substantial popularity and meets several of the criteria

631.05 & .06 West Drive Brahan & The Dell - Remove routes but accept additions suggested by the estate linking 631.05 to 631.06 and on to Balnain Cottage.

Add link as candidate core path from Lochussie Road to Birch Drive, Maryburgh.

Not to add the north track from Maryburgh to Tallysow.

Map 14 

Add the link from Kinellan Drive to 645.01 as Core, and correct route as shown.

Cannot add link from Dingwall and Strathpeffer for cyclists as currently impassable

645.01 to remain as a Core Path with some alterations north of Loch Kinellan to be assessed by Access officer

610.05 - Remove sections of the Core Path where it follows the forest road duplicating promoted path.

645.06 – Retain Core Path due to demand and ensure improvements are made.

A section between 645.04 & 645.14 may not exist and so to be investigated by the Access Officer.

Map 15 

632.12 to be investigated by the Access Officer to see if it should be connected to the town centre and 632.04 should be continuous and remain as a candidate Core Path as very popular route.

Some corrections to be made to the aspirational Path at the River Conon south bank, sections currently available to be wider access.

Retain the Core path at 632.04 route for Clashwood

Path between Dungrianach and Auchmore near Muir of Ord to be Wider Access Network

Map 16 

644.03 Dalnacloich, Strathconon - Retain route as a Core Path. Most popular route mentioned in area and good multi-use track

Map 17

Not to extend 601.02 as a Core Path route to encompass popular rock climbing area but important to keep on the map as a Wider Access Network route.

Path from SYHA to Achininver beach noted as Wider Access network, not given local priority.

Map 18 

Not to include Posties Path, Achiltibuie as Core, given rough surface, length of path. May consider in future.

Map 19 

Not to add River Broom on west side or route from Rhue to Ardmair. As no popular demand and uncertain if exist on ground.

Map 20

649.16 – Not to remove Beinn Dearg hill walking path as should be maintained to high standard.

649.13 – Retain routes as Core Paths. Upper level walk was removed. Popular visitor walks

Map 21 

Cannot add Altnaharrie route as Core, there is no Ullapool ferry link. Corrie Hallie to Inverbroom Lodge route is Wider Access network

Map 22 

To be investigated by Access Officer whether to add Sand Passage to Laide School- as would be good link within community

606.02 - Retain route as a Core Path.

Map 23 

Not to add short path to beach at Firemore or Inverasdale/Camus Mor route.

637.01 is included as Core, along its whole length, beyond the public road.

Not to add aspirational routes from Sand to Lonemore and Poolewe to Tollie Bay.

Map 24 

Add path by shore at West Park as a Wider Network Access route.

Add the track from Redpoint to Diabaig subject to assessment by Access Officer and look at condition of South Erradale to Redpoint

Not to Add Flowerdale House to beach and cemetery or Kerrysdale to Meall Aundrary, but to be assessd

Not to add Strath to Lonemore Right of Way.

Add Shieldaig/Fairy Lochs as a Wider Access Network Path as path condition currently not favourable

Map 24 

619.03 Camus Mor - Retain Core path as shown and designate private road from Melvaig to Rubha Reidh as Core Path. Section from lighthouse will be defined by waymarkers on safest route.

Map 25 

628.07 Coulin - Remove Core Path from west side of Loch Coulin but retain and extend Core Path on eastern side of Lochs from Glen Torridon to Achnashellach

Add route through Corrie Dubh to Coire Mhic Fhearchair- subject to assessment. Some mountain paths were required for sufficientcy this a high quality path and very well used to a spectacular location.

Add new SNH paths at Kinlochewe as Core paths.

Map 26 

Assess routes from Fasag to Torridon House - and Inveralligin to Alligin Shuas

Map 28 

Not to add Balnacra crossing to Arinackaig –as cannot guarantee bridge or Link Croft Road to Main Street, at the Dentists or Butchers, 3 link routes have been included as Core paths.

Not to add Tullich to Glasnock as a Core Path.- was not highlighted as a priority.

Extend 629.01 to Cnoc na Straing is alikely inclusion after assessment. Kirkton Woods more details and assessment required.

629.05- retain as Core as very popular route.

Possible removal of 629.15 – further assessment required.

4. Reports

i. PFAP North Regional Networking Meeting

There had been circulated a paper PFAP North Regional Networking Meeting (19kb) from the Access Officer reporting on the Paths For All Partnership North Regional Networking Meeting that was held on the 28th November 2007.

The Forum agreed to note the Report.

ii. SNH Teacher Training Event

Cattie Anderson reported that the SNH Teacher Training Event was a success and that a total of 22 people attended, and this comprised of teachers from Dingwall and Ullapool, and staff from Brahan Estate.

She advised the Forum that she would circulate more information by email.

5. Pan Highland Conference 2008

George Hamilton indicated that the Pan Highland Conference would be taking place in April 2008 and asked if any Forum Members had any topics that they wished to be put onto the agenda and if so did anyone want to present their chosen topic.

The Forum agreed that Curtilage was an issue that could be raised at the Conference possibly with input by an Access Officer or a Solicitor from the Council.

6. Court Case – Tuley v The Highland Council

There had been circulated a paper Court Case Tuley v The Highland Council (13kb) by the Access Officer reporting on the Court Case (Tuley v The Highland Council) which stated that the dates for hearing of the appeal had been set for 9th – 11th December 2008.

The Forum agreed to note the Report.

7. Access Exemption for the Strathpeffer Mountain Bike Race

There had been circulated an application Access Exemption (1282kb)for an Order to Exempt from Access Rights on an Area of Land at Torachilty Forest, North of Contin and Loch Kinellan from Access Rights under Section 11 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

The Forum agreed to approve the exemption order for Strathpeffer Ltd but expressed their concerns on the damage that could be done to the paths as a result of the event. They had recommended that some commitment from the organisers, possibly even a financial bond, could have been obtained as condition of approval.  However given the short timescale, they requested that the Forestry Commission ensured that all the paths were up to an acceptable standard.

8. Any Other Business

It was noted that the Forum had no other business they had wished to discuss.

9. Ross and Cromarty Local Access Forum meetings - 2008

The Forum agreed to approve the following timetable of meetings for 2008:-

• 5 March 2008
• 4 June 2008
• 3 September 2008
• 3 December 2008

The meeting ended at 6.20 pm.