A new school footpath in Fife has been left leading to a dead end after the Ministry of Defence (MOD) blocked its completion over concerns about future development on a small strip of its land.
A Pathway to Nowhere
The dispute centres on a shared pedestrian and cycle path designed to surround the new Caledonia High School in Rosyth, which is scheduled to open in August next year. Contractors built more than 100 metres of the path before the MOD halted work on the final 15-metre section.
This crucial stretch sits on MOD-owned land, connecting the pathway. Officials refused permission, arguing that completing the path could affect 'future development opportunities' on their land and might be detrimental to local residents—a claim locals have dismissed as 'nonsense'.
Council and Community Baffled by 'Petty' Stance
Local councillor David Barratt described the situation as 'ridiculous', with two government agencies locked in a standoff. He labelled the MOD's position as 'obstructive' and 'at odds' with the community.
'This is one branch of government obstructing another and it is entirely nonsensical,' Cllr Barratt stated. 'They will not accept the path crossing their land and so now the whole pathway leads to a dead end.'
He suggested a simple legal agreement could resolve the issue, criticising the 'bureaucracy' preventing a solution. After the council warned that people would likely use the incomplete path anyway, the MOD responded by threatening to fence off the land permanently. A temporary barrier is now in place.
Local Residents Voice Frustration
Cllr Barratt reported that every resident he spoke to wanted the path finished, contradicting the MOD's claim it was acting on behalf of the community. Long-term resident Lou Blair noted the area had been a public throughway for over 30 years, providing access to the Fife Coastal Path.
'Given that Fife Council have already laid footpath... it makes sense and would be beneficial to complete the remainder,' Blair said.
Another resident, Suzanne Simpson, who lives adjacent to the path, said the MOD land had been an overgrown 'waste ground' for 30 years and was unlikely to be used for access as claimed.
Questions Over Council's Role
Cllr Barratt also pointed to failures by Fife Council, stating it had selected the school site assuring it could be built without relying on MOD land, and spent money on the path without securing the necessary agreements.
'That arguable incompetence, however, pales into insignificance compared to the pettiness of the MOD,' he added.
An MOD spokesperson said the decision to refuse permission was made in January 2024 after careful consideration, citing potential future access difficulties and intensification of use. However, they added: 'We would be willing to reopen discussions with Fife Council to try to find a mutually agreeable solution.'
