The Public Consultation Exercise – Have Your Say!
This Plan known as the Final Draft 
is a consolidation document in response to all the comments received from the public on the initial 2007 consultative Draft
Plan. This Final Draft Plan gives you another chance to have your say and air your views but this time in a more formal structured
way. It contains thirty-nine maps plus insets and three overview maps showing the proposed Moray Core Paths Network. The preceding text sections includes objectives and policies focusing on improving
the Core Paths development, management and promotion.
to the Moray Council Core Paths Plan Final Draft public consultation exercise. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 requires the Council to draw up a plan for a system of paths (Core Paths) that provides ‘a basic framework of routes sufficient
for the purpose of giving the public reasonable access throughout their area.’ The Council are now required to formally allow
the public to inspect this Final Draft Plan before having it adopted legally as the definitive Moray Core Paths Plan.
This is the first time such a plan has been produced for the Moray Council area. It covers the area within the Council boundary, but does not include that part of Moray within the Cairngorms National Park, which will have its own Core Paths Plan.
This concept is nothing new for the Council which has been working in partnership with local community access groups and other agencies to plan for, develop and manage Local Paths Networks since year 2000.
This plan is not just about Core Paths. The maps show other paths which when put together with Core Paths provide for a comprehensive paths network across Moray. We are interested in looking at the total outdoor access scene rather than solely Core Paths.
(a) Why have Core Paths and What is a Core Path?
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives a right of responsible, non-motorised access to most of the land and inland water of Scotland. It also introduces the term ‘Core Path’. A Core Path can physically be any route – a right of way, farm track, an old drove road, a minor public road or even a river.
Although the Act allows any route to be a Core Path, the Scottish Executive has set out some characteristics of a Core Path including:
- should be signed at key access points
- should be accessible to all users as far as is practical
- can have a variety of path surfaces
Core paths should be considered as part of wider Moray Paths Network and not just paths in isolation. Taking the whole network forward through a plan of action could help realise many benefits for Moray including better health, reduction in car usage, improvements in public safety, and more visitors to the area. An integrated Paths network will provide a valuable, freely available community facility for everybody to use.
The Moray Core Paths Plan will provide for this ‘Plan of Action’ and is the best way to focus resources to improve things on the ground.
(b) How were the Core Paths Chosen?
The Core Paths shown on maps within this Moray Core Paths Plan Final Draft were derived from an extensive public consultation exercise carried out in 2007 on the initial Consultative Draft Plan . As
a result of many comments received this Final Draft has been produced which now has a greater number of Core Paths, more information
on the physical nature of each route and a better overall integrated Core Paths network.
(c) How can you get involved?
You are invited to comment on any aspect of this Moray Core Paths Plan Final Draft. It would be useful when responding to think about whether you think the overall proposed Core Paths Network is sufficient
to give reasonable public access throughout the area.
The public consultation (ie. public inspection) exercise commences on Friday 31st October 2008 and runs for twelve weeks. All responses must be received by Friday 6th February 2009 to be considered.
Responses received will be in one of two categories
Comments can be wide ranging including statements of support, general observations and suggested amendments/improvements to the Plan. You may strongly oppose to some aspect of the Plan and as a result may wish to raise a formal objection. Please note that objections cannot be accepted without your full name and address. Please also be aware that all consultation responses will be made public.
Please also note that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (S.E.A) has been carried out and an Environmental Report has been prepared to accompany this plan and is available alongside the Plan for viewing/comment.
Hard copies of the Plan and Environmental Report are available at all Libraries and Council Access Points in Moray or contact the Moray Access Manager to obtain your own copy, (contact details at foot of page).
(d) What happens next?
The public consultation (ie. public inspection) exercise on the Final Draft Plan will come to an end on Friday 6th February 2009. Once all the responses have been processed there will then be a three month
period when the Moray Access Manager will work with any objectors to try and resolve their objections. If however there are
objections that cannot be resolved then the Plan may be subject to a Public Local Inquiry by the Scottish Government Reporters
Unit. If this is the case then the Scottish Government will give direction to the Moray Council as to whether or not to adopt
the Core Paths Plan and about any modifications that need to be made.
Your views matter and all responses received both comments and formal objections will be recorded, analysed and considered and could lead to changes and improvements to the finalised Plan. We look forward to hearing from you.
Contact: Ian M Douglas, Moray Access Manager, The Moray Council, Environmental Services, Ashgrove Depot, Ashgrove Road, Elgin, IV30 1UU.
Telephone: 01343 557049
Email: ian.douglas@moray.gov.uk