Ministers urged to give locals ‘meaningful say’ on Galloway National Park plans

The Scottish Government is being urged to hold a referendum on plans to create Scotland’s third national park – despite the Rural Affairs Secretary having already ruled out such a ballot.

Mairi Gougeon dismissed the idea of having a referendum on plans for a national park in Galloway when she appeared before a Holyrood committee last week.

But now councillors in the area are to vote on the issue, with a motion calling for a referendum to be held due to be debated at the next meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Council.

It has been lodged by independent councillor Dougie Campbell, who insisted the ongoing consultation “is dividing our communities in a way I have never seen before”, claiming that locals are being left feeling “disempowered” by the process.

With a demonstration from supporters of the No Galloway National Park campaign set to take place outside the council when the meeting to discuss the motion takes place on Thursday December 12, Mr Campbell said: “The bedrock of democracy is people having a meaningful say on their own future.

“The proposal that Galloway is designated as Scotland’s next national park could have significant ramifications for generations to come.

“The ongoing consultation is dividing our communities in a way I have never seen before, and people feel disempowered.

“That’s why it’s important that the Scottish Government stands by its very own values of supporting rural communities, community empowerment and local decision making. There can be no better way to demonstrate this by holding a local referendum.”

Last week, Ms Gougeon stressed a consultation is taking place on the proposed Galloway National Park, telling MSPs: “I think it’s important we see that through.”

She also insisted the consultation would produce “wider qualitative information” about the proposal.

Speaking about the consultation process at Holyrood’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, the Rural Affairs Secretary said: “I’m in favour more of that process because I think within that we ask people if they want a national park within that area.”

Asked directly if she was ruling out a local referendum on the plans, she replied: “Yes.”

The consultation, run by NatureScot, is due to run until February 14.

It comes after the Scottish Government announced plans to create a new national park in the region in July – with the country already having national parks in the Cairngorms, and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.

A spokesman for the Galloway National Park Association argued staging a referendum “would cost a large amount of taxpayers’ money at the very moment when the Scottish Budget has made clear that it is going to be very tough to fund public services”.

The spokesman continued: “As the proposed area of the park includes South and East Ayrshire as well as Galloway, then the two councils covering those areas would have to agree to their populations being balloted.

“If that did not happen it would mean many supporters of a national park were disenfranchised.

“It’s also the case that Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, has already rejected the suggestion that a referendum should take place, not least because a fair and robust public consultation is already under way.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “All parties across the Scottish Parliament backed the creation of a new national park and the nomination from Galloway is undergoing further investigation and public consultation.

“We recognise that there are differing views, which is why it is imperative that all those with an interest has their say – including whether or not they want a national park in the area – before the consultation closes in February.

“It is vital that the people of Galloway and South and East Ayrshire have the opportunity to consider the proposal and share their views, which is exactly why this process is being undertaken and why a key part of that consultation involves asking people if they want a national park in their area, as well as other issues such as what the area, governance and powers of a new park might be.

“Everyone’s views will be listened to and we will carefully consider the outcome of the consultation process before taking any further decisions.

“If we decide to proceed with the designation of a new national park, it should be cost-efficient, provide value for money and help to meet the needs of local communities.”