News & Minutes
Draft Minutes of Fossoway & District Community Council Meeting
Tuesday 5th August 2025 -- 7.30pm, Crook of Devon Village Hall
Attending: Community Councillors (CCllrs) Sarah Bruce-Jones, Tony Lamb, Nicola Marchant (Chair) and Kaye Williamson; Associate CCllr Farquhar; PKC Cllr Richard Watters; five members of the public (MoP).
Apologies: CCllrs Adrian Carter, Angus Cheape and Graham Pye; PKC Cllrs Dave Cuthbert, Neil Freshwater and William Robertson; PC Ben Samson.
Declarations of Interest: None
1. Community Police Report:
From 3rd June 2025 (last report) there have been approximately 52 calls to Police from the Fossoway area, and eight crimes recorded on Police systems.
On 4th July a driver was stopped and found to be driving whilst disqualified, driving with no insurance and no MOT on the A977 in Crook of Devon. The driver was arrested, charged and reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
On 10th June 2025, road traffic officers carried out speed checks on the A91 at Carnbo. A conditional offer (ticket) was issued to a driver for exceeding the 30mph speed limit. Since the last report, road traffic officers have been carrying out speed checks on the M90 notably at J5. In this period, 17 conditional offers (tickets) were issued and two reports made to the Procurator Fiscal for speeding offences. Three conditional offers (tickets) were issued
for vehicles driving with no MOT and two reports were made to the Procurator Fiscal for insurance offences.
2. Approval of minutes of the last meeting:
The Minutes of the 3rd June meeting were approved and signed off.
3. Progress and Matters Arising:
Windfarms
Brunt Hill
No additional information has been received since June CC meeting.
Craighead
The CC were notified by PKC that the Craighead windfarm developers had made an appeal against the non‑determination (or deemed refusal) of the planning application (or a condition attached to the planning consent) and this has been lodged with the Scottish Ministers through the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA). All previous objections and neutral or supportive comments made to PKC were forwarded to the DPEA. In addition, the DPEA asked if the CC wished to make any further comments. The CC submitted a response which can be found on the DPEA website https://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?ID=126629
The CC have been notified that the reporter appointed to consider this case, Mr Christopher Warren, will be carrying out an inspection of the appeal site. The reporter does not consider it necessary to be accompanied on this visit.
Cllr Cuthbert has received the following response from PKC officers. "As you know, disappointingly, this was appealed by the applicant to the Scottish Government's DPEA on grounds of non-determination by the Council. This was despite PKC waiting for additional information from the applicant in order to progress the application."
It was noted by a MoP that the access routes for both these sites will be directly onto the 60mph section of A91 in an area of consistent high speeds above the limit.
A discussion followed regarding the process for consultation with, and representation to, PKC Planning on both these applications as the CC is concerned that they will now not have an opportunity to make direct representation to PKC in the event of hearing or enquiry. The CC are disappointed with the lack of discussion or response from PKC to both applications and are requesting clarity on the procedures relating to these.
Another MoP raised the view that the Ochils were being targeted as an easy option for developers of onshore windfarms, and that at present the Ochils are insufficiently protected from future development.
[Windburn Farm ECU Application -- Clackmannanshire Local Authority]{.underline}
The CC are writing to object to the Windburn Wind Farm planning application on the grounds of adverse impact on the landscape and the environment. (ECU00004782)
Local Place Plan (LPP) Update
The Fossoway and District LPP has now been registered with PKC and can be found on their website: https://www.pkc.gov.uk/localplaceplanregister
Cllr Watters confirmed that the LPP will be considered as a material matter in review of future planning applications but will not be considered binding. PKC Cllrs are reviewing current policies as part of the LDP3 process.
Community Development Trust (CDT)
At the 5thJune meeting members voted to progress with the lease option for the former Blairingone Primary School CAT.
Road Safety in FDCC area including A977 mitigation measures
Speeding in Powmill (A977)
A MoP has shared their email exchange with Mr Fairlie (MSP) and Police Scotland regarding speeding on the A977, where they have asked for Mr Fairlie's support in seeking the following action by PKC: that traffic tubes (traffic cables) are installed by PKC for a period of time to record the traffic volume and speed on this stretch of road, the 40mph zone specifically. This will provide the necessary data to support informed decision making by PKC on additional measures required. PKC have responded noting that a 20mph speed limit is already proposed and that a survey of traffic volume and speed is planned.
[Review of proposed 20mph zones and other speed limit changes in Fossoway]{.underline}
Agreed amendments were submitted to PKC and the CC received the following response from Cllr Cuthbert: We will try to accommodate as many of the changes as we can. This will require alterations to some of the Traffic Regulation Orders, changes to drawings, additional materials ordered and the works order to Tayside Contracts amended. As the work is already programmed, we may need to proceed with the initial installation and come back and make any agreed amendments or extensions later. The CC have received copies of TRO maps from Cllr Cuthbert. Cllr Watters agreed to seek feedback for the CC on justification for the changes and the current stage of the TRO process.
VAS in Cook of Devon
The CC noted that the two VAS signs in Crook of Devon have already been set to 20mph despite the speed limit still being 30mph. The CC has informed Cllr Cuthbert who has advised that the changes to the signage and VAS are performed by separate teams who are out of sync.
Fossoway area transport
The 23 Service bus is still running efficiently but the roadworks west of Powmill are causing issues especially when the traffic lights fail. The Developers have been made aware of this issue by CCllr Lamb.
In a few weeks' time there will be a four‑month pilot of a bus running through Carnbo which will be bookable only using a new app. The bus will be a shuttle service from Carnbo to Rumbling Bridge, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, where the 23 can be picked up either going to Tillicoultry or Kinross. For this pilot to continue then the service must be used. There will be more information available soon.
The FCDT has been awarded a PKC minibus following a competitive process. The Rumbling Bridge Hydro fund has awarded the CDT a grant for the next 12 month's running costs. There are already several trips planned. A Facebook page for the bus has been set up for booking the bus.
Seamab School Construction Work
A MoP stated that Algo are still not adhering to planning conditions: working beyond 1pm on Saturday; water is pouring off the site onto the tracks; the trench is still open, and dust is circulating; and other instances of non‑adherence.
The CC agreed to raise concerns with PKC's Enforcement and Environmental Health Officers again.
Another MoP reported that a big van repeatedly drove along the track, and when approached the van occupants asked for directions to where the Seamab children sleep. Apparently, they wanted to visit a child, so the MoP took the occupants to the location.
Community Noticeboards
The FCDT has received funding for new/replacement noticeboards from PKC CLLD and will be ordering them as soon as funds are released. Volunteers to fix the noticeboards to the ground with the supplied fixings will be sought.
4. Matters arising with no update since last meeting: Crook Moss Travellers Site.
5. New Business:
The CC received notification of a Felling Permission Application (Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018) at Parks of Aldie. The CC made no comment.
The Panel of the Fossoway Community Benefit Fund met on the 23rd July and reviewed two applications, one of which was approved, details next month. The fund welcomes applications to fund schemes that benefit the Fossoway and District community. This is an administratively light-weight fund, and applicants are welcome to approach the panel informally for assistance in preparing their submissions.
The CC received an email regarding the lack of maintenance of the cycle path from Drum to the Aldie Rd. Cllr Robertson has completed a CJS referral form asking if they can have these works carried out, as it would be of great benefit to the local community. Cllr Robertson also advised that a local paths group could be established as in other localities and that they would maintain our footpaths. This suggestion will be forwarded to the FCDT.
6. Consultations:
Scottish Government
Update to the 2020 Offshore Wind Policy Statement: Scotland's Offshore Wind ambition (Closes 13 Aug 2025) https://consult.gov.scot/offshore-wind-directorate/offshore-wind-policy-statement-update/
PKC:
The Open Space Strategy, aimed at residents, is to set out a strategic framework of the planning authority\'s policies and proposals as to the development, maintenance and use of green infrastructure in their district, including open spaces and green networks. (Closes 11th August) https://consult.pkc.gov.uk/communities/open-space-survey/
In May 2024 the Scottish Parliament passed the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2024/8/contents) which gives local authorities the ability to charge a set percentage on overnight accommodation to be paid by visitors and tourists. Any proposal for a levy will be decided by PKC in December 2025. https://consult.pkc.gov.uk/communities/perth-and-kinross-visitor-levy/ Closes 30th September 2025.
7. Community Council Business:
Fossoway and District CC Elections
The next CC elections will be held on 6th November 2025 (https://www.pkc.gov.uk/communitycouncilselections).
Notice of the election will be published on 28th August with the close of nominations being at 4pm on the 25th September. In the event of there being more than eight nominations there will be an election on 6th November 2025.
To continue to exist the Fossoway and District CC must have a minimum of four CCllrs. The CC noted that since some of the current CCllrs are not proposing to stand for re‑election new CCllrs will be required. CCllrs are all volunteers and if anyone wishes to find out more about becoming a CCllr please reach out to us on fossway.cc@gmail.com.
Clackmannan LPP
As a neighbouring CC we were given the opportunity to comment on their LPP. The CC made no comment.
Meetings Attended:
CCllr Lamb attended the following meetings:
3rd and 24th July Glenfarg Liaison; 21st July Glenfarg and Muckhart CC regarding pilot bus route; 28th July CTA Transport Forum.
8. PKC Business -- Councillors reports:
Cllr Watters noted that PKC will again have a Green Living fund of £200k for village halls to move towards net zero. Details will be made public in a couple of weeks.
9. Planning Matters:
Planning Decisions
24/01940/FLL Change of use and alterations to ancillary building to form short-term let accommodation unit at Middleton Fossoway. The Application was approved the CC had made no comment.
25/00652/FLL Erection of 4 dwellinghouses and garages and associated works at Land 40 metres north‑west of Ladieshall, Vicar\'s Bridge Road, Blairingone. The application has been withdrawn by the applicant/agent.
25/00673/FLL Erection of recreational hut (in retrospect) at Barnhill Farm, Powmill, Dollar. The Application was approved, the CC had made a neutral comment.
25/00733/LBC Alterations to Conference Centre at Lendrick Muir, Rumbling Bridge. The Application was approved., the CC had made a supportive comment.
Planning Applications
25/00731/FLL Alterations at Cairnfold House, Blairingone. No CC comment.
25/00836/42L S42 application to vary condition 3 (retail event restriction) of 22/02090/FLL at Solsgirth Home Farm, Solsgirth, Dollar. The CC made a supportive comment
25/00869/FLL Erection of dwelling house and garage at Devonside, Fossoway, Kinross. No CC comment.
24/01803/FLL Siting of caravan (in retrospect) (for temporary period) at Easter Muirhead, Blairingone, Dollar. The CC made a neutral comment requesting conditions.
10. AOCB:
Trudy had asked that we make residents aware that they have organised a retirement party for Jean and Andrew on 31st August from 2 to 4pm in Crook of Devon Village Hall and that all are welcome.
Details for CC meetings for the coming year can be found on our website: www.fossoway.org
The CC had received an email from the recently appointed interim Headteacher at Kinross High School, asking whether we would be happy for her to come along with some young people to a future Community Council meeting. Their aspiration is to have reps from the school provide us with an update on their developments. The school will have a Pupil Parliament. The CC support this and will also introduce the interim Headteacher to the FCDT.
A MoP reported that the path to the south of Waulkmill field is impassable to due to a fallen tree and that this has been reported to PKC.
Another MoP asked why there was no banking hub in Kinross-shire. Cllr Watters noted that he had made two applications which were rejected due to population size. He is still pursuing this and will hopefully make a future application. He is hoping that this topic may emerge from the Kinross Community Action Plan.
Next CC Meeting: Moubray Village Hall, Powmill Tuesday 2nd September 2025 at 7.30pm
We collect and process your personal information for the following purposes: Analytics.