Press Release: Galloway National Park Campaign Heads for the Scottish Parliament

The positive case for a Galloway National Park is going to the Scottish Parliament this week with a special exhibition and the publication of a new vision statement.

·       Holyrood exhibition shows new National Park benefits

·       Campaigners issue vision statement

·       MSPs reminded of promises for a new National Park 

The Galloway National Park Association (GNPA) is staging an exhibition for MSPs, sponsored by Colin Smyth MSP, at Holyrood from 29-31 October, just ahead of the launch of the 12-week public consultation which begins in November.

At the same time the GNPA has produced a document outlining the big gains for nature, communities, the economy and for fighting climate change.

Copies will be widely distributed including to MSPs, along with a reminder of the manifesto promises they made to voters at the last Scottish elections – and other commitments made since then (see notes).

These include the ruling SNP’s commitment to at least one new National Park for Scotland by 2026 and an ironclad pledge by the opposition Conservatives to “create Scotland’s third national park in Galloway”.

Rob Lucas, GNPA Chair, said: “Our exhibition clearly shows the tremendous gains for the region and the nation of creating a National Park in Galloway.

“The public consultation starts soon and we hope that our MSPs will help put forward the positive case – the benefits to the country, the region, the environment, to nature and the economy.

“The SNP made it official policy when it promised a new National Park in its Programme for Government – Galloway has been selected as the preferred option.

“Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Green candidates all made similar promises in their manifestos.

“The Conservatives went a step further and specifically promised a National Park in Galloway. Now is the time when we will find out who is, or isn’t, going to keep faith with their voters.”

The GNPA was founded by Galloway residents in 2016 and built on work commissioned by D&G Council – the idea of a Galloway National Park was created in the region and for the region. 

It’s new Vision Statement will compliment views from other parts of the community to ensure that, if it is created, the National Park’s structure would reflect the positive input of different sections of the community. 

Mr Lucas said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a brighter, more sustainable future for Galloway. It provides the people of Galloway a stronger voice in the future of the area.

“It will mean Galloway taxpayers see more of their money invested directly in their area to benefit nature, create quality jobs, gradually increase tourism, protect the environment and help Scotland fight against climate change.

“If the opportunity is lost the investment vanishes, it won’t be spent on anything else in our region. More than that it would mean that Scotland lost the chance to achieve something amazing for the whole country.”

The GNPA Vision Statement

A National Park made in Galloway for Galloway will:

Work with our COMMUNITIES to:

Give them a strong voice in their future through the National Park Board and Partnership Plan.Improve the availability of affordable housing and digital connectivity.Support key local services and community initiatives.Improve access to the outdoors for all with associated health and well-being benefits.

Work for NATURE and CLIMATE CHANGE to: 

Ensure that Galloway’s special landscapes and wildlife are safeguarded.Enhance the biodiversity and resilience of our forests, peatlands and saltmarshes.Create space for species to move as the climate changes.Work in partnership to contribute to Net Zero.

Work to improve the ECONOMY to:

Make Galloway a better place in which to live, work and attract people from outside the area.Increase prosperity across a range of sectors and bring new permanent jobs and investment to the area.Broaden Galloway’s economic base, building on our environment and primary industries.Offer our youngsters more chance of building their lives where they grew up.

-Ends-

Note to Editors

What the 2022 Scottish Parliament election party manifestos said:

·       Conservative: Scotland has two national parks, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and the Cairngorms. Nearly twenty years on from their creation, we would create Scotland’s third national park in Galloway and consider other proposals for further parks.

·       Labour: Scottish Labour will support the designation of new National Parks (including coastal, marine and city parks), recognising that National Scenic Area designation is insufficient.

·       Green: We will create at least two new National Parks and one new Regional Park. 

·       Lib Dem: We support development of a new national strategy to designate more national parks, as part of a wider network of protected landscapes.

The Scottish Government Programme for Government

·       SNP: We committed to the designation of at least one new National Park by 2026, provided that legal conditions can be met.

Find out more about the proposals: https://newnationalparkgalloway.commonplace.is

About GNPA

Galloway National Park Association is a community-based group with trustees from across the region. We started work in 2017 and have over 1100 members, young supporters and business champions. Our objects are:

·       To promote the protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural assets of the area for public benefit.

·       To promote, undertake and publish research into issues affecting conservation and enjoyment of the natural and cultural heritage of the area and to identify how this may be furthered through the designation of a National Park.

·       To advance public education in and understanding of how a National Park could contribute to improving health and wellbeing through the enjoyment, understanding or enhancement of the area's natural and cultural asset”.

Rob Lucas is the association’s Chair and Sandra McDowall the Vice Chair. Dame Barbara Kelly is the President. The association has been funded by membership and donations, and contributions from Scottish Campaign for National Parks, Dumfries & Galloway Council, South Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Council. 

·       See www.gallowaynationalpark.org

For media information contact: Rob Lucas 07808 775901or Matthew Shelley 07786 704299 orMatthew@ScottishfestivalsPR.org.