A proposed national park in Galloway, Scotland, has ignited fierce debate between those who see it as a boon for tourism and jobs and those who fear it will overcrowd the area and harm its natural beauty. The Scottish government aims to designate Galloway as the UK's next national park by 2026, but residents, farmers, and some tourism operators are protesting, citing concerns about increased regulations, litter, and disruption to their way of life. The Galloway National Park Association, meanwhile, argues that the park will boost the local economy and protect the region's unique landscape.
The plan to give Galloway in Scotland special status has sparked a backlash from ‘livid’ residents and farmers - but others say it will bring jobs
But neither the politicians at Holyrood nor the local campaigners were prepared for the ferocity of the backlash. The public consultation, which ends next month, is not going according to plan. “Going out for a walk is a bit of an adventure here. We don’t need a quango coming in sanitising the area with lots of signs and footpaths and bringing in too many people.”Galloway would be the first national park set up in Scotland since 2003, and the first anywhere in the UK since 2010. The Welsh Government also plans to create one in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley area, but the push for more national parks in England has stalled..
Even some in the tourist industry are unhappy. Norrie Milligan, the 73-year-old owner of two holiday lets in Port Logan on Galloway’s southern tip, said he gets enough visitors during spring, summer and autumn. A national park is a way of “putting Galloway on the map”, said Lucas: “The area is performing rather poorly, economically. A national park can generate jobs from additional tourism and conservation.”
The legislation used to set up national parks in the UK has been aimed at preserving landscapes and wildlife habitats, but some environmentalists think protections have not proved strong enough to prevent commercial development.Fox hopes a park could encourage more young people to stay in the area. But she is dismayed how divisive the topic has become among friends and neighbours. “I wish the debate was less intense, so people can be open about each other’s views,” she said.
NATIONAL PARKS SCOTLAND TOURISM ECONOMY CONSERVATION
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