New National Park Proposal Sparks Debate in Scotland – Scottish Business News

A recent report by Scottish Environment Link has reignited the debate over the creation of a new national park in Dumfries and Galloway, highlighting potential benefits for local farming businesses.

The report suggests that national parks can provide crucial support to farms by offering access to advice, funding, and resources that are exclusive to businesses within these protected areas.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon announced in July that the Scottish Government is considering establishing a third national park in Scotland. However, this proposal has met with resistance from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland, which argues that such a designation could introduce additional bureaucratic challenges for farmers.

Alasdair Macnab, vice president of NFU Scotland, stated that “93% of its members backed” the stance against the new park, fearing it might prioritise tourism over farming and crofting businesses. Despite these concerns, supporters of the proposal argue that national parks can drive socio-economic benefits. Deborah Long, director of Scottish Environment Link, emphasised that “farming and sustainable land use is critical to achieving the aims of national parks.”

She noted that parks offer additional funding for projects that align with their goals while supporting viable farm businesses.

The potential park in Galloway could bring investment to the region, according to local farmer Neil Picken. He believes it could help address issues like depopulation by attracting well-paid jobs and encouraging young people to stay in the area. “We need to bring in well-paid jobs to stop our young people leaving,” Picken said. “National Parks are successful worldwide; we need to grasp this opportunity.”

Opposition remains strong among some local stakeholders. Surveys conducted by Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) and NFU Scotland revealed significant opposition to the proposal, with 91% and 73% respectively opposing the plans.

Critics argue that existing designations like biospheres and dark sky parks already deliver environmental and economic benefits without the added bureaucracy of a national park.

The Scottish Government plans to open a formal consultation period in November to gather public input on the proposal.

Mairi Gougeon stressed the importance of community engagement throughout this process, stating, “I genuinely want to know what people think, and I really hope that people will engage in that process.”As discussions continue, both supporters and opponents of the new national park are encouraged to participate in the consultation process to ensure all voices are heard.