Councillors have narrowly voted in favour of CCTV cameras being installed in a rural Perth and Kinross location.
Councillors were asked to consider retrospective plans submitted by AC Architects on behalf of the applicants to install two CCTV cameras at Logiealmond Estate.
The retrospective plans were put before Perth and Kinross Council's Planning and Placemaking Committee on Wednesday, June 1.
The application received 13 letters of support and 12 objections.
The two cameras have been fixed 4.5m off the ground on a five-metre-high timber post on land close to a Perth and Kinross core path and to the main access into the estate from the B8063 road.
The report of handling described the cameras as "modest in size" and "inoffensive" in design.
Those in support said the cameras were needed to deter against crimes such as vandalism, theft and fly-tipping.
Objectors raised concerns about the visual impact and the cameras looking out of place in the rural setting as well as concerns about privacy and intimidation.
SNP Strathearn councillor Stewart Donaldson questioned the need for CCTV on a core path and asked if there were any on other core paths in Perth and Kinross.
Service manager Kristian Smith said: "There are many many CCTV cameras across Perth and Kinross and the wider country and I would guess that a number of these also cover core paths."
Cllr Donaldson expressed concern. He said core paths should give people "the liberty and freedom to access the countryside and not if they are going from Point A to Point B feel they are going to be on camera."
Cllr Donaldson suggested it went against a PKC policy on CCTV.
He added: "It says: 'it can act as a deterrent for unwelcome individuals'. But surely with our core paths we want to welcome individuals to access the countryside.
"Also this is a retrospective application and that concerns me."
Strathtay Liberal Democrat councillor Claire McLaren had "strong concerns" about "intimidation".
She said: "The sheer presence of them is an intimidation and it's been noted that one of the concerns is intimidation with the intent to deter public access."
Several council officers stressed the matter of privacy was not for this committee.
PKC's legal adviser Colin Elliott said: "The issue of privacy and being monitored is one that lies elsewhere and not in planning."
Conservative councillor Bob Brawn moved to approve the application and said: "If you are going about your lawful business then the existence of CCTV should have no bearing. Nobody has mentioned the rights of the landowner to protect their property.
"The CCTV has no bar on people accessing the core path. It's designed purely to recognise if there is any criminal activity."
This was seconded by Conservative Strathtay councillor Ian James.
Cllr Stewart Donaldson moved for refusal "as the proposal would unreasonably affect public access rights" and "unreasonably deter the public from wanting to use the core path".
Cllr Mike Williamson seconded.
Councillors voted by five votes to four to grant retrospective approval.
