An open survey of residents and businesses affected by the Galloway National Park proposal found almost three-quarters of all respondents were opposed.
A total of 1983 people responded equivalent to 1.3% of Dumfries and Galloway’s population (146000 population in 2023), to the NFU Scotland poll, which was open to anyone from anywhere, not just NFU Scotland members to enter, but is now closed.
A low turnout of 28 per cent of respondents were NFUS members and, in total, 33 per cent of respondents identified themselves as farmers.
The results showed 73 per cent of the 1983 people that took the time to fill out the survey were against the proposed National Park bid, 16 per cent are for the proposal and 11 per cent are undecided.
Looking exclusively at NFU Scotland members, 556 members responded of which 78 per cent were against the proposals, 10 per cent were for and 12 per cent were undecided.
The NFU Scotland State “The results from the most extensive survey in the proposed park area to date, which ran between February 2024 and September 2024, gives NFU Scotland a clear mandate to continue its opposition to the proposals, which have they say may have the potential to impact on farmers and the wider rural economy in Dumfries and Galloway, parts of South Ayrshire and parts of East Ayrshire.”
NFU Scotland continues to meet with NatureScot, the Scottish Government agency appointed as reporter for the Galloway Park proposal.
NatureScot has been charged with helping the Scottish Government decide:
- if Galloway should be given National Park status
- what geographical area it should include
- what form its governance should take (e.g. number of board members)
- what powers it should have (e.g. planning, access)
- its likely structure and operation.
NFU Scotland’s Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Region, Stewart Wyllie said: “We thank everyone, whether members of the public, the wider business community or the farming sector for completing the survey.
“With 1983 responses, the majority are clearly against the National Park proposals. The response rate justified our decision to open the survey to all rather than just NFUS members.
“NFU Scotland continues to meet with NatureScot to establish how it will fulfil its remit as reporter and ensure the views of all are considered. It has recently launched an online portal providing facts and we would encourage all with an interest in the proposal to visit https://newnationalparkgalloway.commonplace.is/ and have their say.
“We also understand that NatureScot will be distributing leaflets to all households in the postcode districts in, and close to, the proposed park area, explaining the consultation process and how to be involved in it.
“Backed by the survey results, NFU Scotland will be using the consultation process to underline our continued opposition and work in expressing these views to NatureScot, Scottish Government and wider stakeholders.”
Gordan Mann, GNPA Trustee, said:
We are disappointed that NFUS carried out its survey before NatureScot’s Public Engagement period process – giving the factual information about the proposed Galloway National Park – had begun.
This important process aims to make sure that everyone is fully informed about what it would mean for the region, ahead of the formal consultation period later this year.
Whilst the survey was open to anyone wishing to express their views it was promoted to their members who were told, before its launch, that NFUS had resolved nationally to oppose the creation of any new National Parks.
When the National Park bid process started in October 2023, and again when the online survey began, we provided the NFUS locally with information about the potential impact on farming, planning and land management.
This was not passed on to members even though it would have helped them separate fact from fiction regarding bureaucracy, planning controls and National Park powers.
The NFUS survey was also promoted via the No GNP group.
With all this in mind the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
We encourage everyone, even if they responded to the NFUS Survey, to find out all they can about a potential Galloway National Park from NatureScot before making up their minds.
This is one-off chance to benefit from major investment designed to help Galloway thrive and prosper and should not be lost.
