Dumfries and Galloway Council are looking into the possibility of part of our region becoming a ‘National Park’ area.
Scotland currently has two National Parks: the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, which was created in 2002, and the Cairngorms National Park, which was created in 2003.
In 2013 the Scottish Campaign for National Parks (SCNP) produced a report entitled ‘Unfinished Business – A National Parks Strategy for Scotland’. This outlined further areas across Scotland which would be appropriate to be designated as a National Park. Within this report reference was made to Galloway, stating that a potential National Park would preferably bring together the National Scenic Areas, Galloway Forest Park, and Galloway Dark Sky Park and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere.
Dumfries and Galloway Council was approached in 2015 by the SCNP and the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS) in order to gauge whether the formation of a National Park would be beneficial to our region.
A report was then produced in partnership with the Galloway and Southern Area Biospher (GSA Biosphere), which had been highlighted as being part of the geographical area covered by the proposed National Park.
Members will hear of progress to date, and any next steps which should be taken, at the meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee on 15th Nov.
Committee Chair, Colin Smyth said: “A Galloway National Park is unquestionably a truly exciting prospect. But we know delivering this will not be easy or a quick process. We need to change the current Scottish Government’s position which is to maintain Scotland’s existing national parks rather than develop new parks. To achieve that we need to develop a clear, powerful case for a Galloway National Park that comes from the community and shows support from key stakeholders. A significant amount of engagement work will be required to determine the nature of the National Park, its governance, geographic boundaries and resources.
However, the prize at the end could be tremendous from a major boost in tourism to new powers to protect the natural beauty of Galloway. Scotland’s two existing national parks are further north, so it would seem only right that the South of Scotland is considered next.
“If Councillors back the development of a case for a national park, and there is clear community backing, our Council will then put our weight behind supporting the community in helping develop the strong case for a Galloway National Park”
Link to report:
http://egenda.dumgal.gov.uk/aksdumgal/users/public/admin/kab14.pl?operation=SUBMIT&meet=18&cmte=EEI&grpid=public&arc=71
