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Galloway consultation must stop before further ‘confusion and conflict’ is caused, say campaigners

Delayed new environment laws are undermining the consultation behind a new proposed National Park in Dumfries and Galloway and threaten more “confusion and conflict,” according to campaigners.

In letters to both the Rural Affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon and local councillors, the No Galloway National Campaign is repeating its demand for the consultation currently being run by the Scottish Government’s NatureScot agency to be halted.

The as-yet unpublished Natural Environment Bill proposes major changes to how National Parks operate, including aims and governance, and campaigners are questioning the authenticity of the current consultation.

Denise Brownlee, co-founder of the No Galloway National Park group, said, “The consultation in its current format is a farce. The public are being asked their views on information which is severely lacking in detail. Indeed, how can information be shared when there is uncertainty about how legislation, currently under review, will change?

“From the very beginning, we questioned why a National Park was being proposed before completing a thorough and independent review on the success of those already in existence, and the Natural Environment Bill cuts right across what the pro-park campaign claims.

“The proposal for a new National Park, and the resulting consultation, is just a face-saving exercise for the Scottish Government and not ‘for the people of Galloway,’ despite what we’ve been repeatedly told.

Last week, Galloway MSP Finlay Carson wrote to Ms Gougeon to highlight the lack of independence and effectiveness of the current consultation, questioning, “whether it can ever adequately represent the views of local stakeholders.”

He added, “I have serious concerns relating to the revision of the current National Park (Scotland) 2000 Act as part of the Natural Environment Bill which will run almost concurrently with the Parliament considering the proposal for a new National Park.

“This would mean that if Galloway was designated as a National Park, it could come under legislation which is different to what NatureScot are currently consulting on! In effect, changing the rules halfway through the game!”

Liz Hitschmann, co-founder of the No Galloway National Park campaign group, said, “it has become more and more clear that the more local communities ask questions, NatureScot and the Galloway National Park Association (GNPA) have fewer answers. And that’s after consultation events run by Out Of The Box on behalf of NatureScot and various community council meetings in which myself and Denise as well as GNPA representatives have spoken.

“Galloway and Ayrshire people are being led further down a road of no return with no map, and the consultation should be halted.

“The debate has been incredibly divisive. It is now time to look at supporting the organisations already in existence in the area to bring positive changes to local economy and invest in much needed infrastructure.”

Dumfries and Galloway Council are holding a special meeting on Wednesday 5 February to discuss their formal response to the consultation. The No Galloway National Park campaign group are staging a peaceful demonstration to share their views with councillors.

The NatureScot consultation on a proposed Galloway National Park closes on 14 February 2025.

 

 

Notes

The NGNP letter to Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, can be found here.

The NGNP letter to Dumfries and Galloway Councillors can be found here.

The letter from Finlay Carson MSP to Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Mairi Gougeon, can be found here.

Dumfries and Galloway Special meeting report – ‘A Galloway National Park Full Technical Appraisal Framework Consultation Paper’ can be found here.