NatureScot has released statistics revealing that public participation in the consultation on the Scottish Government’s proposal for a new national park for Scotland has been busy and wide-ranging. The consultation is now in its final month and will close at midnight on 14 February.
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.
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