Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2000
Commendation for development on the ground
29. DENNY PATH NETWORK
nominated in 2000 by Falkirk Countryside Access Forum.
This project is nominated as a successful, planned approach to the development of a countryside access network, in line with Development Plan and Draft Countryside Access Strategy policies, for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and less able in and around the town of Denny. Extensive community and landowner consultation was carried out before and after development to address issues, needs and concerns. A modest funding package of £30,000 was used to implement minor practical works to achieve maximum benefits for all recreational users as well as landowners.
A Partnership approach, advocated by Paths for All Partnership, was adopted by Falkirk Council and drew involvement from Falkirk Countryside Access Forum, local landowners and cross service Council support from Legal and Community Services. This is seen by as a model planned approach to access development, as expected in forthcoming Land Reform legislation. Provision of local path networks can directly help Government deliver its new policy agenda on Land Reform and Falkirk Council to achieve its goals and values including: creating healthier and safer communities; reducing disadvantages and inequality; and safeguarding and improving the environment and heritage of the area.
The implementation of this network follows directly from the planning policy cascade from Structure Plan - Denny Local Plan - Falkirk Council's Environmental Strategy to the Draft Countryside Access Strategy which sets out the approach adopted by Falkirk Council. The Council and the Paths for All Partnership commissioned Scottish Participatory Initiatives to undertake a full community consultation on March 11-12 1998. Local views, ideas and skills were obtained from group meetings and outreach work with 141 local people of all ages and abilities. Late 1998/99 a series of meetings and site visits were undertaken by the Council's Access Officer with the Factor for the landowner (Callendar Estate) and the 2 tenant farmers to address their concerns on the range of new proposals. Their input then influenced the proposals to mutual benefit in land management terms. Falkirk Countryside Access Forum was then made aware of the draft proposals and asked for their comments, suggestions and possible improvements from both the user and land manager's viewpoint. Falkirk's Access Forum membership mirrors the national Access Forum and is a tri-partite group representing recreational user groups, landowners and managers as well as other organisations. Their comments then influenced the plan in a positive way. All of the above consultation has ensured that local people have participated in planning their local path network. Paths are 'in the right place' to ensure the concerns of landowners and farmers are taken into account. And Falkirk Council meets the expressed public demand for countryside access.
Funding: £25,000 was granted from the Paths for All Partnership, in support of the extensive consultation that had taken place, to implement the agreed proposals. Falkirk Council contributed the supply of materials and kit bridges up to £5,000 as well as officer time and resources. Central Scotland Countryside Trust was appointed to project manage the implementation works. The project demonstrated Best Value for the local authority with the majority of funding from the Paths for All Partnership (£25,000). Funds were allocated to achieve the greatest quantity and quality of path network within financial and physical constraints. This was achieved by making the most of what already existed on the ground.
Practical works focused on improving the experience of using local countryside paths. Local people gave various reasons during consultations for NOT using their local countryside ie overgrown, wet and muddy, no signs - danger from cattle - uncertainty of right - cannot use gates etc. 1500m of vegetation were cleared, 920m of path surfaced and 30 signposts erected. 850m of fencing, 260m of drainage, 2 new bridges and 6 easy-use gates were installed. These modest practical measures gave the following outputs: A new wheelchair accessible link to park land from the Sports Centre; 8.1km of footpath or pedestrian access; 6.7km of off road cycling along farm and forest tracks; 5.2km of horse riding (no previous facility had been available).
Launch: The practical works were completed and launched by Magnus Magnusson of the Paths for All Partnership at Falkirk Council's "Fun and Fitness Fair" on Sunday 4 June. This event included a 'cycle challenge' and encouraged use of the network by a larger section of the population of Denny than would normally visit the countryside due to the nature of the event.
Review and Improvement: The process is not finished. It is planned to review and amend current access agreement to cover new additions to the network. Interaction will continue with 2 tenant farmers and landowner Callendar Estate to review problems and attempt solutions within financial restrictions. The Denny Path Network Leaflet will be distributed to every household in Denny. The original aims of consultation and objectives will be reassessed, and the original respondents given an opportunity to assess whether the network meets their expectations and needs -a question and answer session is planned for early 2001 after the leaflet launch). A funding bid is being prepared to the Paths for All Partnership for pedestrian counters to assess level of path use. To sum up, this project, and more importantly this process, is a potential model for local authorities planning and providing a local path network. It is a process which planning authorities will increasingly be expected to fulfil as new duties in the forthcoming Land Reform Legislation.
The judges visited the Denny Path Network. They saw how the particular partnership approach adopted by Falkirk, and a clear strategy, had helped to co-ordinate modest funding, enabling open space and access improvements to be woven into an asset which can be enjoyed and interpreted by the local community. The attractive leaflet distributed to households is an important part of the initiative. So, too, is the involvement of landowners. The work at Denny has set a pattern for similar work in other parts of Falkirk Council's area. The judges congratulate the Council and its partners on an excellent initiative. They have no hesitation in recommending the Denny Path Network for commendation in this category.