Core Paths Planning in the Hebrides

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 came into operation in February 2005 with the publication of a guide to its use entitled “The Countryside Access Code". The Act has a number of implications for Local Authorities, and one of these is the preparation of a "Core Paths Plan".  Section 17 of the Act states that: “It is the duty of the local authority, not later than 3 years after the coming into force of this section, 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.” 

The deadline for completion of a draft Core Paths Plan is February 2008.

The Outer Hebrides Outdoor Access Forum plays a key role in the development of the Core Path Plan.  Membership of the Forum has been reviewed and updated to ensure that as wide a spectrum of opinions as possible is represented.

The existing draft Western Isles Countryside Access Strategy has been reviewed and updated to reflect the changes in access legislation.

Core Paths Planning - The Process

A considerable amount of relevant information has already been obtained regarding potential Core Paths when informal surveys of access users were conducted initially by the Western Isles Countryside Access Project and by the ongoing Western Isles Countryside Access Programme.  This was in preparation for commencing improvement works to paths.  Community Councils throughout the Isles were also consulted for their view on what were likely to be important areas for access.  The information gathered to date has been digitised using Countryside Access Management System software, and will be supplemented as further information comes to light.

These maps will be made available to the public (in printed form) during the consultation period (summer 2007).  The consultation will comprise public meetings; placing of prepared maps and supporting information in public spaces (schools, libraries); newspaper advertisements and this web site.  These consultations have 3 objectives:

• To verify that community needs have been correctly understood and summarised.
• To put forward a preliminary view on core paths, setting it in context of a wider path network.
• To receive feedback and seek consensus so as to minimise objections when the Draft Plan is published.

Following the consultation process the draft plan will be prepared.  The draft Core Paths Plan will include:

• Maps showing the proposed core paths and their relationship to other paths
• A list of the core paths
• Supporting text

The finalised draft Core Paths Plan will then be subject to a formal public consultation period.  At the end of the period of public consultation Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar will adopt the plan and begin implementation.  However if there are unresolved objections the Plan may be subject to a Public Inquiry by the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit.

Have Your Say

The process of preparing a Core Paths Plan relies upon a high degree of community consultation.  Whether or not you are able to attend one of our community meeting sessions this summer we’d like you to have the opportunity to contribute to the process.  If you’d like to have a say, please complete one or more of our questionnaires and your responses will be added to the body of information regarding Core Paths routes in the Outer Hebrides.

On-line Survey

CnES Core Path Planning Consultation Survey