Councillors agree to install new picnic area despite fears of 'anti-social behaviour'

Perth and Kinross councillors have agreed to a Pitlochry riverside path being widened and upgraded despite concerns a picnic table might spark antisocial behaviour.

Objectors, and particularly neighbouring residents, feared the new picnic area might create a “prime site for youths to congregate”.

Perth and Kinross Council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee voted to approve both the picnic table and path upgrade at a planning meeting earlier this month.

The picnic bench required planning permission due to hardstanding being laid on a grassy area.

When the committee met on Wednesday, January 7, councillors were told there were 14 letters of objection and six letters of support for the proposal to upgrade and widen the footpath between Port-na-Craig Bridge and Pitlochry Dam.

Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council objected to the plans and raised concern there was a “lack of community support” and “inadequate consultation with residents most directly affected”.

The community council said an initial request had been made by the Pitlochry Path Group for support to apply to an SSE fund.

The community council submitted objection said: “At that time, provisional support was expressed only for the path upgrade and this was explicitly contingent on proper engagement with residents.”

It said a subsequent survey, conducted by residents of Tummel Crescent and Ferry Crescent, found 29 residents were opposed to the installation of a picnic bench, 17 opposed the path upgrade, 11 supported the path upgrade and one was unsure.

Pitlochry and Moulin Community Council argued the picnic table was an “unauthorised and unjustified change of use of public green space”.

Objector Colin Milne attended this month’s Planning and Placemaking Committee when the application was being considered.

He said: “I’m here today, speaking on my own behalf and also the residents in Tummel Crescent of whom I spoke to and gathered views about the proposed path widening and picnic site. I’m also speaking on behalf of the Pitlochry Angling Club, who have objected to this application and have a direct interest as tenants of the riverbank adjacent to the path.”

He cited concern the path’s upgrade might lead to “intensified use of the land” and increased use of bikes and the creation of a picnic area could risk antisocial behaviour and vermin.

Mr Milne said: “As a retired police officer with over 30 years of service, I’m well aware of the potential for antisocial behaviour in these types of sites which have limited accessibility. This site is bounded by a river, the dam, 100 woodland steps, wooded areas and residential properties. This is a prime site for youths to congregate. There are no suitable mitigations proposed by planning officers to address this.

“Local residents are open to having further discussions with Pitlochry Path Group on appropriate upgrades to the path only and have made that clear to them.”

Speaking on behalf of the applicants, Robert Johnston, a senior architect at McKenzie Strickland Associates told councillors the proposal was “primarily” to improve the existing path because it was “rough, uneven, muddy in places and slippery on the grass area”.

He said: “The path is regularly used by locals and visitors to Pitlochry. It’s well defined from the suspension bridge upstream to the end of the residential properties. From the end of the residential properties, the path is less well defined.”

Quizzed on the need for a picnic table, Mr Johnston said there was already a bench and added: “The applicants have said they would very much like to have it; they think there’s a wonderful opportunity to encourage people to pause and sit, take a break and enjoy the views. However, if it was felt it was a major stumbling block, they would be willing to reconsider that and remove it from the application.”

Highland Perthshire ward SNP councillor Mike Williamson asked who would maintain the path with the land next to the path, appearing to be under a “kaleidoscope of ownership” including that of neighbouring residents.

Mr Johnston said the works would “go up to the edge of the path”.

He said: “My understanding is the land is owned by SSEN effectively – or the owners of the dam – and they would be taking responsibility for future maintenance and they are the primary funder of this path improvement.”

The plans were moved for approval by Conservative councillors Bob Brawn and Ian James, with a request for a management plan for bins.

Conservative Strathallan ward councillor Keith Allan – who was “aware of antisocial behaviour in Auchterarder with picnic tables on a piece of ground, similar to the one we’re talking about there” – tabled an amendment to refuse the application but got no support.

Lib Dem councillor Willie Robertson was “quite surprised” there was so much concern over a path upgrade.

He added: “I think it’s a great idea. If there are issues of antisocial behaviour, I’m sure we can get it [the picnic table] removed in the future but I don’t envisage that happening.”

The application was approved, subject to conditions.