One month to go for National Park consultation in Galloway

Nearly 1000 people have already attended the 30-plus public consultation events and online sessions about the proposed National Park in Galloway.

Some drop-in surgeries have also been hosted by NatureScot to allow local residents to discuss specific topics they would like help with before they complete the consultation. A final five consultation events are still to be held across South West Scotland.

The consultation surveys are available on NatureScot’s website and online information hub and have been shared via 52,000 leaflets distributed to households and businesses within the proposed area. Print, audio and Gaelic options are also available on request. More than 1800 online surveys have been completed so far.

The online information hub established by NatureScot to provide the public with information about the consultation has had 1565 subscribers viewing the proposal, surveys, maps, background resources and email updates.

The NatureScot National Park Reporter staff have so far attended 216 meetings with people in the area and issued over 1100 email responses to enquiries.

The consultation was launched on 7 November and is the statutory opportunity for anyone with an interest in the Scottish Government proposal to consider and discuss the shape and options for a potential new park in Galloway, parts of Dumfries and East and South Ayrshire. Anyone completing a consultation survey is asked whether they support or oppose the idea of a new National Park being established in the area.

Scottish ministers appointed NatureScot to be the Reporter on their proposal, based on the joint bid made by the Galloway National Park Association and Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, and the statutory consultation runs until midnight 14 February 2025. Scottish ministers will decide whether the designation goes ahead.

NatureScot’s Head of People and Places, Pete Rawcliffe said:

“We’ve been listening to people from all walks of life and from all perspectives in this busy public consultation. We’ve worked hard to ensure that those living and working in the area have the opportunity to discuss the issues, consider the content of the proposal for a national park in Galloway, and decide whether they support it or not, or have alternatives they wish to suggest. We will convey all the views expressed during the consultation in our report to Scottish ministers this spring.

“With one month of the consultation left, there is still plenty of time to get involved, take the time to read the proposal, and have your voice heard. There is extensive information about Scotland’s national parks and this proposal on our website, with leaflet versions of the surveys available in accessible versions. Whatever views you hold on the proposal, we encourage everyone who has yet to do so to get informed and have their say.”

Consultation Events

Five final consultation events will take place this month, facilitated by independent consultants, on behalf of NatureScot. Everyone attending these will be supported to share their ideas and opinions in a welcoming environment. There will be sessions within each, asking for responses on different topics, as well as interactive boards and spaces, and opportunities to leave anonymous feedback.

• 21 Jan Barrhill drop-in surgery Barrhill Memorial Hall 12:00 - 14:30
• 21 Jan Dalbeattie Town Hall 18:00 - 20:00
• 22 Jan Castle Douglas Town Hall 18:00 - 20:00
• 23 Jan Dumfries Baptist Church Centre 12:00 - 14:00
• 23 Jan Dumfries Baptist Church Centre 18:00 - 20:00

You can find details of the events at: Have Your Say Today - Consultation Events - Information Hub - A Proposal For A National Park In Galloway