EASTAYRSHIRE DRAFT Core Path Plan EASTAYRSHIRE DRAFT Core Path Plan 2.2 What is a Core Path? 1 Introduction 2 The East Ayrshire Core Path Plan It will also, for the first time, promote a It should be noted that the designation of a comprehensive list of recognised routes route as a Core Path does not provide A Core Path is a route which facilitates access throughout the local authority area including enhanced access rights and that access rights to the outdoors under the Act. This can 2.1 Benefits of the East Ayrshire routes which go beyond the East Ayrshire given under the Countryside (Scotland) Act In February 2005 the Land Reform Scotland include routes on inland water. The Core Path Core Path Plan Council boundary, providing strategic links 1967 and the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 Act (2003) was enacted, putting several Network will be made up of a number of powers and duties on East Ayrshire Council to throughout South West Scotland. would still apply to the wider countryside. The implementation of the Core Path Plan is categories of routes, including: enable them to maintain responsible use of the supported by the Scottish Outdoor Access outdoors, both land and inland water. These • Rights of Way, regardless of classification Code (SOAC). include the duty to produce a Core Path Plan • Paths, footways, footpaths cycle routes, that will meet the needs of the community, It is envisaged in East Ayrshire, that the Core bridle paths Open providing a framework of routes sufficient for Path Plan and the SOAC will play a key role in the purpose of giving reasonable access encouraging responsible access to the • Rivers and other inland waters Fields, Hills, throughout the area. outdoors and reduce the perceived conflict Woods between land managers and access users and • Minor roads This piece of legislation provided East Ayrshire between different user groups. Key to the Council and its partner the East Ayrshire • Paths delineated under a Path Agreement SOAC is that access rights will only be In order to meet the Vision of the East Ayrshire Outdoor Access Forum the opportunity to or Path Order permitted where they are exercised East Outdoor Access Strategy and the East Ayrshire promote the work undertaken as part of the responsibly taking account of other people’s Not all paths will be included in the Core Path Ayrshire Community Plan, the Core Path Plan for East implementation of the East Ayrshire Outdoor privacy, safety and livelihood, being Plan. However, it is not possible for the Core Ayrshire will: Access Strategy and supported by the East Core Path considerate of the needs of other access users Path Plan to exist in isolation. It will act as the Ayrshire Community Plan. The East Ayrshire and respecting the environment. basic framework from which the wider path Plan • Provide a basic framework to meet the needs Outdoor Access Strategy was produced in network will radiate. The Core Path Plan will of the communities October 2002 and aimed to deliver: not affect the status of any other route. Rights Wider • Provide opportunities for all non-motorised of Way which are not included in the Core “ A series of well planned, co-ordinated and used path networks which will Network recreational activities for people of all ages and Path Plan will continue to exist in their current abilities provide connections between communities, meet the social and health needs of form and be protected under Section 46 (I) of of Paths communities, realise the area’s tourism potential, promote more sustainable the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967. • Raise awareness of local and strategic paths Although minor roads and footways may also Wider • Be supported by good signage and information transport choices and support economic and environmental regeneration. ” be included in the Core Path Plan, their Network protection under the appropriate Roads and • Compliment existing land management Planning legislation will continue. of Water practices including agriculture and biodiversity 1 2 EASTAYRSHIRE DRAFT Core Path Plan 2.3 Development of the East Ayrshire • East Ayrshire Local Plan Core Path Plan • Emerging East Ayrshire Leisure and Cultural A wide range of partners have been involved Strategy in the development of the draft Core Path Plan, including the East Ayrshire Outdoor • East Ayrshire Transport Strategy Access Forum, community groups and • Ayrshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Assessment individuals, land managers, access interest Guidelines, Planning Environmental Report Strategic Environmental National Planning Policy Scottish Planning Policies, groups, local agencies and organisations and Advice Notes and Circulars neighbouring local authorities. It is important that this partnership continues throughout the development of the approved Core Path Plan to ensure that the needs of all interested parties are met and that the Core Path Plan is developed in an equitable, balanced and inclusive manner. It is important that the Core Path Plan is East A number of key stages have been and will be supported by a policy review of all local, Plan Legislation Framework Ayrshire Ayrshire Joint undertaken in the development of the East Structure Plan Access Strategy Report regional and national strategies and policies, UK and Scottish Core Path National Planning Ayrshire Core Path Plan. These are: Planning Applications demonstrating the political commitment to East Ayrshire Outdoor East Ayrshire Local Plan Environmental the Plan. Although, the Land Reform • Policy review (Scotland) Act is the driving legislation, there • Path Audit are a number of other acts and policies which support the development of the Core Path • Selection of Candidate Core Paths Plan including: A more comprehensive account of the policies • Development of Interim Draft Core Path Plan • Scottish Planning Policy and Guidance 11: which contribute to the Core Path Plan can be Open space and Physical Activity • Development of the Draft Core Path Plan found in Part 1 of the East Ayrshire Outdoor • Adoption of Core Path Plan • East Ayrshire Outdoor Access Strategy Access Strategy. Reports Council Plan’s and Strategies any associated Environmental Community Plan Programmes and Other Non-Council • East Ayrshire Community Plan Figure 1 (right) gives a summary of how the Plans, Programmes Strategies including East Ayrshire Leisure • Maintaining the Core Path Plan and Cultural Strategy Core Path Plan fits into the policy framework • Reviewing the Core Path Plan • Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan for East Ayrshire. Figure 1: Relationship between the East Ayrshireand Core Other Path Plans, Plan Programmes and Strategies 3 4 EASTAYRSHIRE DRAFT Core Path Plan EASTAYRSHIRE DRAFT Core Path Plan In order to understand the current provision of consultation through www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk 3 The Potential Core Paths Ballochmyle routes through East Ayrshire, it was essential to 1 Level of demand within the community from the 21st December 2007 until 25th including carry out an extensive path audit. It was (from public consultations) January 2008. Auchinleck, deemed difficult to carry out this audit using In order to make the consultation of each Mauchline, Sorn, 2 Links to wider path networks and other After this round of informal consultation, the traditional forms of consultation and surveying route easier, East Ayrshire has been split into 6 Catrine, Lugar, communities (including waterways and Plan was reviewed to take account of all due to a lack of resources. Therefore, with the areas, broadly in line with the Local Authority Logan and Muirkirk cross-border links) comments. At this point, the draft Core Path assistance of Scottish Natural Heritage and the Wards. These are: Plan was produced and issued for statutory Paths for All Partnership, an Outdoor Access 3 Creation of circular routes Toolkit was developed in partnership with consultation on May 1st 2008.. 4 Provision of all abilities paths North Ayrshire Council. Following adoption of the East Ayrshire Core Annick including Cumnock Area The toolkits were developed to provide local 5 Opportunities for multi use Path Plan, all routes within the Plan will Kilmaurs, Stewarton, including Cumnock, become Core Paths. The Council will then Dunlop and Lugton New Cumnock, groups and organisations with all of the 6 Links to local interests of natural, information and resources needed to identify have a duty to ensure that core paths are Ochiltree, Drongan, cultural and built heritage (including accessible, sign posted and promoted within routes in their local area and any ideas for amenities) linkages and extensions to these networks. two years of the adoption of the plan. Members of the East Ayrshire Outdoor Access 7 Managing the environmental impact It should be noted that Core Path Plan status Irvine Valley Doon Valley Forum and land owning sectors also used of access does not put a duty of maintenance onto East including Galston, including these toolkits with their interest groups to Ayrshire Council. Maintenance of Core Paths 8 Opportunities for community Newmilns, Darvel, Dalmellington, enable them to contribute to the process. will be carried out by a number of private and regeneration and economic Priestland, Moscow, Patna, Bellsbank, public sector individuals and organisations. This process yielded more information about development e.g. tourism Waterside and Hollybush, routes throughout East Ayrshire than ever before. Fenwick. 9 Possibility of avoiding or mitigating land Periodic review of the Core Path Plan is Dalrymple, The information gathered was then assessed management conflicts required under the Act. It is envisaged that the Waterside against criteria developed by the East Ayrshire East Ayrshire Core Path Plan will be reviewed 10 Value for money Kilmarnock Area Outdoor Access Forum. It is important to after 5 years. However, removals or diversions including assess each route using pre-determined criteria of Core Paths can be carried out relatively Kilmarnock, to ensure equity in selection of Candidate easily in response to planning needs, new Once each route was assessed, paths which Hurlford, Gatehead, Figure 2 & 3 (overleaf) provides a summary Core Paths.