New National Parks update April 2024
Nominations for five areas of Scotland were submitted by local groups in February 2024. The nominations cover Galloway, Loch Awe, Lochaber, Scottish Borders and Tay Forest. The next part of the process will involve an analysis of the bid submissions which will be informed by the evaluation framework published in Autumn 2023 and visits to each area. After the evaluation is completed, a recommendation will be made to Scottish Ministers.
In the summer of 2024, one or more ‘Proposed National Park(s)’ will be announced and a statutory reporting process* for each area that is proposed will start led by NatureScot. A summary of the whole statutory process, which is set out in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 can be read on the NatureScot website. The process will include a public consultation focused on the area in question, and detailed consideration of issues such as the merits of designation and boundary options. Ministers can also decide to hold a public enquiry.
A decision to proceed with designation of any new National Parks will follow consideration of the reports produced and the results of any public enquiry. A draft designation order would then be published and consulted on, after which revisions could be made. The designation order would be scrutinised by the Scottish Parliament before a decision to approve it is taken. The Scottish Government have committed to designating at least one new National Park by 2026.
Once a National Park is legally established a National Park Authority will be set up. Its Board will have places filled by direct elections, appointments by the Scottish Ministers and nominations by local authorities. Individuals on the electoral role in the specified area vote in direct elections of local Board members. Individuals and organisations can comment on the proposed appointments of Scottish Ministers.
* Reports from the statutory reporting process carried out for Loch Lomond and Trossachs and the Cairngorms can be viewed on the NatureScot website.