The battle to save a century-old path in Perth may not yet be over, councillors have warned.
Earlier this year developers submitted plans to build three houses on the route between Needless Road and Cavendish Avenue in the Craigie area of the city.
The application was withdrawn in the face of fierce opposition from locals, who believe the path to be a right of way.
However in a letter to residents the four local representatives, Bob Band, Alexander Stewart, Willie Wilson and Alastair Munro, warn that a new proposal could still be submitted.
They said: “The owner of the land has withdrawn his planning application for the three-house proposal.
“The formal situation is that the applicant does have the right to reapply and we would very much hope that they would take into account the feedback which the public have already given on the matter.
“This is in the hands of the developer however.”
They added that the council would be forced to pay the market value to buy back the land, should the owner agree.
“The formal situation is that the council cannot pay any more than the site is worth.
“If the seller was willing to sell the ground, the council could buy it back at market value. This would, however, be reliant on the attitude of the current owner. This matter has not been raised with him.
“The alternative of a Compulsory Purchase Order is both slow and costly and is not guaranteed to succeed.
“Local members are still very unhappy that the retention of a path was not included in the sale detail.
“We have made this very clear to officers and also expressed our concern that we must now rely on the planning process to control whatever proposals come forward for the site.”
The developers, Friarton Limited, have not yet indicated whether or not they will submit another planning application.
More than 70 letters of objection were sent to Perth and Kinross Council after the original plans for the site were revealed.
Residents say the route is used by children walking to school and any change would force them to make a half-mile detour.
It is believed that the path had been in existence since the building of 63 and 65 Needless Road 105 years ago.