Fencing has proved to be a controversial topic during planning discussions in Perth.
Councillors debated the subject for almost an hour during a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s development management committee.
The fences in question lie along the banks of Loch Tummel and were put in place by the new owners of Aldcharmaig, an estate 12 miles away from Pitlochry.
Although an application was approved for a 1.2m high stock fence in 2009, the owners installed posts that were significantly higher and, as a result, have been forced to seek renewed permission.
Concerns had been raised about the effect the fence could have on the right to roam and road safety, as well as the hazard it could present to animals.
Architect David Murdoch, who is acting as agent for the applicants, agreed that it “should not have been built” at its current height, but told the committee it was required for keeping out fly tippers and campers.
“The application is for fencing and is not anything to do with right to roam,” he said.
“There is an issue of people who fly camp and leave litter and those who fly tip in what is a national scenic area. Those who want to enjoy the right to roam can do so, as there is a wall with two openings.”
He also revealed that sections of the fence had been lowered to allow deer to jump over safely.
In addition, he said that his clients were willing to give consideration to altering the design to allow smaller animals to fit under it, allowing them to travel from one place to another.
Mr Murdoch faced a grilling from Councillor Ian Campbell, who raised several issues and, despite being given reassurances that the fencing did not affect visibility on the road, he maintained that it still presented a danger.
The Highland ward member said: “The issue of public concern is one of the factors and is a high priority. The plan states that the fencing lies in close proximity to a public road and increases the risk of collisions with vehicles.”
These concerns were shared by Councillor Kate Howie, who made a deputation at the meeting. She also criticised the design of the fence.
“It beggars belief that this fence is proposed to keep out deer on this extremely dangerous road,” she added.
“All this reduced height does is allow the deer to cross the road on the corners. I don’t think they will run to the bends and then safely get out of the way of traffic.”
The proposal for the increased height failed to win support from any of the councillors as the committee debated the subject.
Suggestions were made to introduce warning signs along the B8019 near Loch Tummel, but a number of members were anxious over the potential hazards, as well as the possibility that the landowners could prevent the right to roam by installing lockable gates.
Councillor John Kellas suggested that they may have had this in mind when building the taller fence and questioned their motives.
The application was recommended for approval by development quality manager Nick Brian, who told the committee that it was “still acceptable”.
“The applicant has gone ahead and breached that, but this application is the compromise,” he added.
Despite this, Mr Campbell moved the report for refusal and his motion was passed unanimously.