No to national park review branded ‘arrogant’

THE SNP have been accused of displaying “arrogance” after they confirmed they have no plans to carry out an independent review into current national parks.

Scottish Conservative MSP Alexander Burnett had called for an independent review of the current national parks, in the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, to ensure “lessons can be learned” going forward and to properly assess their impact after being operational for over two decades.

Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson is now planning to force a vote on the subject in Holyrood.

He is bringing forward an amendment to the Natural Environment Bill which calls for an independent review of national parks on a fixed-term basis.

Meanwhile, Mr Burnett said: “Scotland’s current two national parks have been operational for over two decades now and we should understand the impact they are having, both positive and negative.

“However, going by this response the SNP clearly want to say there is nothing to see here and pretend everything is fine.

“After the way they handled their plans for a Galloway and Ayrshire national park, which were ultimately ditched, lessons need to be learned.”

Mr Carson added: “The longer the process went on for a national park in Galloway, the more the SNP botched it.

“It was a victory for common sense when they ditched their plan eventually, but their work shouldn’t stop there.

“Before rehashing any plans, they should urgently carry out a review into the existing national parks.”

He added: “I’m determined to get the SNP government to agree to do this, which I believe would help create a better discussion around any future national park plans.”