Local people should get a referendum on whether plans for a new Galloway National Park should go ahead, a group of councillors has said. Galloway was selected in July by SNP ministers out of five bids to be Scotland’s third National Park – and join the two other designated sites in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Cairngorms.
But the bid has strongly divided opinion locally – and No Galloway National Park (NGNP) activists accuse the Scottish Government and environment agency NatureScot of ignoring substantial local opposition. Now, an independent group of Dumfries and Galloway councillors are urging Holyrood ministers to sanction a local referendum to give residents a “meaningful say” – and ensure a new National Park is what they want.
The proposal will go before a full council meeting in Dumfries next Thursday while demonstrators will gather outside the council HQ in support of a public vote. However, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has already ruled out a ballot in an appearance before MSPs last week.
It comes amid NatureScot’s ongoing consultation on the park plans which campaigners claim has been “hopelessly biased” and skewed towards approval. It runs until February 14 with NatureScot then expected to present its report and recommendations to ministers in the spring.
Councillor Dougie Campbell of the independent Democratic Alliance Group (DAG), who is tabling the referendum motion, 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.
Cllr Campbell, who represents the Dee and Glenkens ward, added: “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.”
Fellow DAG councillor Iain Howie, who represents Castle Douglas, said: “Rightly or wrongly, it has to be accepted that a large percentage of the community fear their views on the issue will not be adequately articulated by NatureScot’s consultation. As such, the best way of allaying these fears would be to hold a local referendum.”
Gougeon dismissed the idea of a Galloway referendum while speaking to Holyrood’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee last week. Asked directly if she was ruling out a local referendum on the plans, she replied: “Yes.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman 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 have their say – including whether or not they want a National Park in the area – before the consultation closes in February.
“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.”
NatureScot was asked for comment.
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