Anger and frustration over new national park …
By Democrat reporter
A woman who has lived and worked on Loch Lomondside is one of the principal objectors in an extended public consultation into whether Galloway should become Scotland’s third national park.
NatureScot is conducting the process which ends on 14 February, two weeks later than originally tabled to take into account the festive period.
So, after weeks of public meetings, paper and online consultations, has anyone changed their mind?
There has been anger and frustration among both supporters and objectors in what has turned out to be one of the most contentious issues raised in Dumfries and Galloway.
What is being decided?
There are three potential boundaries for a new national park.
Option one concentrates on hills and coast, option two hills and extended coast and option three hills, coast and countryside.
Part of South Ayrshire would be within the boundary and East Ayrshire too.
There are concerns from those against the plans that there is not an option to choose a plain no.
However, the questions on the consultation online ask if someone strongly opposes the move.
The cost of a new park is undecided but it is likely to be £5m or more according to estimates from NatureScot.
NatureScot is in charge of the consultation and will report back to the Scottish government with its findings in April.
A total of 52,000 households and businesses received a paper copy of the consultation. And 29 public events have been tabled across south west Scotland, including parts of Ayrshire which could come under the park’s boundary if it goes ahead.
There have also been two online events with another scheduled for January 14.
Stuart Graham, NatureScot’s operations manager for south Scotland, told BBC Scotland News: “By all means have your say whether yes, you want a national park or no, you don’t, but in particular we really need reasons, we really need details as to why that is, as that will help us inform back to government.”
The No campaign has pushed for a referendum on the matter which has been backed by Dumfries and Galloway councillors
They have been putting pressure on the Scottish government which had already turned down the suggestion, saying all views would be considered in the ongoing consultation. altogether we can bring about a glad new day,” he said.
Who is against?
Liz Hitschmann (left) is one of the women who started the campaign against having a national park in Galloway.
Former Loch Lomondside resident Denise Brownlee and Liz Hitschmann, who both live in Gatehouse of Fleet, started the campaign against having a national park in Galloway.
It has become a strong and vocal opposition.
They said the roads infrastructure needed to be upgraded first before encouraging more visitors.
They highlighted the fact that if the A75 – which brings traffic from the ferry terminals at Cairnryan across Dumfries and Galloway to Gretna – is closed, HGVs are diverted through narrow roads and villages.
Soaring house prices and low-paying jobs in the service industry are also of concern.
Ms Brownlee said: “Having lived and worked in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, I’ve seen damage to the area and nature. I don’t want that happening here.
“I don’t want the kids’ only prospects to be making coffees or beds up. If we had the infrastructure sorted, we could have businesses coming in on the back of that.”
Ian Cruickshanks is the fourth generation at his farm at Borgue near Kirkcudbright.
“I am genuinely worried,” he said. “We have invested heavily in infrastructure but it could all be lost.”
He worries about his children. “They will have to move to survive rather than become park rangers or limited with the ability to farm under a national park tied up in bureaucracy.
“The overall anger in the area will lead to unrest if the government doesn’t listen.”
Catriona Forrest lives near Castle Douglas and said she initially thought a park sounded like a good idea but has since changed her mind.
She does not believe the consultation is democratic and said an independent, academic review would be the best way forward.
“The issue now is the information and misinformation on the benefits of a national park,” she said. “I don’t believe in them but it’s hard to unpick and work out what we’d be getting.
“I think an independent review carried out by say IPSOS or a university would give us the pros and cons and we’d know what we were facing.”
Top of page picture: Autumn in Balloch Park, who is part of the Loch Lomond National Park.