Outcomes

National Parks for Scotland: Scottish Natural Heritage's Advice to Government

Introduction

1.1 This paper fulfils the Government request of September 1997 asking SNH to provide advice on National Parks in Scotland and, when submitting our advice, to set out in greater detail how a National Park system would operate in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, and the Cairngorms. At the time, Government also indicated that there might be other areas which are appropriate for National Park status, and SNH was asked to consider identifying possible areas but not to develop detailed proposals for them at this stage. Government asked SNH to consult widely and, for Loch Lomond & the Trossachs and the Cairngorms, to work closely with existing interests to develop proposals which best meet local needs.

The Consultation Process

1.2 In order to undertake this work, SNH embarked on a process of consultation and information-gathering outlined in Box 1.

Box 1: The Consultation and Information-Gathering Process The first stage began in February 1998 with the launch of a national ‘Invitation to Contribute’. Intended to open up the debate and encourage widespread involvement, this invitation reiterated the Government’s proposals for National Parks, outlined SNH’s role in taking these forward and sought general views on a number of key issues. The invitation was distributed to local authorities, community councils, public agencies and other interested organisations. We received nearly 250 responses to it. To inform our thinking and that of others, we also: commissioned four reviews which examined: National Park structures and powers in the UK and elsewhere; the socio-economic impacts of National Parks in the UK and elsewhere; best practice in community participation; and the current statutory powers of relevance to the purposes of National Parks; organised a series of national seminars on the cultural heritage, planning and transport, governance and administration, rural development, and conservation management; and held a national conference attended by more than 100 organisations; held local meetings with Community Councils in both Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, and the Cairngorms, and bilateral talks with the local authorities, local agencies and other interests in these two areas; and met national organisations to discuss in greater depth the issues raised by the invitation. The second stage of consultation began with the release of the main consultation paper on 29th September 1998. Some 10,000 copies of the main and summary versions of this paper were printed and distributed. 451 responses were received. During this second stage of consultation, SNH also: commissioned three further reviews on the upland economy of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, and the Cairngorms; on sustainable development and National Parks; and on the potential costings of our National Park proposals; met with many organisations and interests, both nationally and in the two areas; co-funded a study trip by farmers from the Cairngorms to National and Regional Parks in France; and organised a series of 5 public meetings in the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs area attended by more than 200 people and, with the Cairngorms Partnership, a series of 23 meetings in the Cairngorms area attended by more than 700 people. To complete this consultation process, we are publishing our advice to Government together with the analysis of the responses to the main consultation paper. We shall send a copy of these publications to every organisation and individual who responded. The responses from both stages of consultation are available for inspection at the following SNH offices: 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh, EH6 5NP (0131 447 4784); The Beta Centre, Innovation Park, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4NF (01786 450362); and at the Cairngorms Partnership office, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey, Morayshire PH26 3HG (01479 873535).

Summary of Results from the Consultation

1.3 To date, SNH has received 451 responses (112 from Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, 91 from the Cairngorms). These numbers compare very favourably with other consultations. The high level of interest in the consultation was similarly reflected in the generally high turn-out at the public meetings. A full breakdown of responses is provided in Annex 1.

1.4 The following key themes emerge from the analysis of the responses.

• The overwhelming majority of respondents commented constructively on the proposals, with most of the responses focusing on the key questions concerning purposes, planning powers, land management and representation.
• Very few of the 451 responses expressed outright opposition to the proposals. There is no strong 'no campaign' over the concept of National Parks (only 5.5% not in favour in principle), nor to the specific proposals we have put forward for how they might operate in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs (3% not in favour) and the Cairngorms (5% not in favour).
• A significantly larger number of the 451 responses directly declared support for the establishment of National Parks (29.5% in favour in principle, 16% for Loch Lomond & the Trossachs and 15% for the Cairngorms).
• A significant majority did not comment either way but addressed the issues rather than the principle.
• A few respondents questioned the use of the name ‘National Park’. Alternative suggestions included Park Authority or Heritage Area.
• A few respondents urged for greater priority to be given to the cultural heritage of National Parks, including the promotion of the Gaelic language. We consider that these elements are addressed in the overall framework for National Parks which we have set out, although more detailed consideration will be necessary as each Park Body is established and the Park Plan prepared.

1.5 Although not indicated in these overall figures, a more in-depth reading of the responses relating to the Cairngorms reveals less enthusiasm overall for the designation than in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs. However, in both areas many respondents appear to have accepted Government policy and, rather than question the principle, have decided to try and influence implementation. Among individuals and communities, in particular, there is continuing uncertainty over what the proposals might mean in practice for them. 1.6 Both the written responses and the discussions at the public meetings in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, and the Cairngorms, have been important in informing SNH's advice to Government. Throughout this paper, we have therefore highlighted the main areas of agreement, uncertainty and disagreement with our advice. More detailed analysis of the written responses to the consultation paper, together with feedback from the public meetings in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs and the Cairngorms, is published separately .

Structure of our Advice

1.7 The structure of SNH's advice broadly follows the structure of the main consultation paper.

• Section 2 sets out SNH’s vision for National Parks, the key elements of our proposals and the processes we envisage for establishing them.
• Section 3 sets out SNH's advice on the purposes of National Parks and how they could operate in practice.
• Section 4 sets out SNH’s advice on the powers, structures and funding of the proposed National Park Body.
• Section 5 sets out SNH’s advice on the powers, structures and area of a National Park in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs.
• Section 6 sets out SNH’s advice on the powers, structures and area of a National Park in the Cairngorms.
• Section 7 sets out SNH’s advice on other National Park areas.

1.8 The two annexes accompanying this report present detailed information on:

• Annex 1: respondents and responses to the main consultation paper;
• Annex 2: the international perspective on National Parks and its application to Scotland.