Stop More National Parks in Scotland.
- 2,123 Signatures
Using the two existing National Parks (NPs) in Scotland as examples:
Over 10 years each new NP will cost the Scottish taxpayer £130m. Inappropriate use of money when public finances are weak. The new NP, will be bureaucratic, employing 100+ people, with a paid board of approximately 20, mostly unelected, directors.
The NP will not help with the major issues that already exist in rural Scotland, i.e. roads, medical services, schools needing urgent investment. In areas such as Skye & Lochaber, Small & Western Isles, there is already over-tourism in the summer period and poor road & ferry networks. A NP will only make this problem worse. The Scottish Government requires the local communities to be keen to have a new National Park in their region. It is felt locally that fewer than 10% of local people near Lochaber are engaged. At public meetings, radio phone ins, the response to press articles, & social media engagement the vast majority of people are not in favour of another National Park in Scotland.
Found: Stop More National Parks in Scotland.
Written Evidence Jan. 09 2024
Inquiry: Urban Green SpacesFound: UGS0072 - Urban Green Spaces National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces Written Evidence
Oct. 12 2023
Source Page: New National Parks: nominations guidance and appraisal frameworkFound: New National Parks: nominations guidance and appraisal framework
Oct. 12 2023
Source Page: New National Parks: nominations guidance and appraisal frameworkFound: New National Parks: nominations guidance and appraisal framework
Oct. 02 2023
Source Page: New National Parks - appraisal framework: consultation analysisFound: New National Parks - appraisal framework: consultation analysis
Oct. 02 2023
Source Page: New National Parks - appraisal framework: consultation analysisFound: New National Parks - appraisal framework: consultation analysis
Sep. 21 2023
Source Page: Future of National Parks: strategic environmental assessment - environmental reportFound: Future of National Parks: strategic environmental assessment - environmental report
Sep. 21 2023
Source Page: Future of National Parks: strategic environmental assessment - environmental reportFound: Future of National Parks: strategic environmental assessment - environmental report
Asked by: Caroline Lucas (Green Party - Brighton, Pavilion)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to his Department's consultation on Permitted development rights, which closed on 25 September 2023, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of extending permitted development rights in (a) national parks and (b) other protected landscapes to allow the conversion of (i) barns and (ii) other rural buildings for residential use on the ability of national park authorities to support the statutory purpose of national parks to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
We are currently considering the responses received to the consultation, including from stakeholders representing National Parks and other protected areas, and will make further announcements in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what analysis has been carried out of the impact of proposals to extend Permitted Development Rights in National Parks and other Protected Landscapes for the conversion of barns and other rural buildings to residential use, including analysis of whether this would conflict with the statutory purposes to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government has consulted on proposals to extend permitted development rights to support housing delivery and the agricultural sector. This includes proposals to extend permitted development rights to allow farmers to convert agricultural buildings like barns to houses in national parks and other protected landscapes. We are currently analysing responses to this consultation, which closed on 25 September 2023. This includes consideration of whether this PDR extension would conflict with the statutory purposes of protected landscapes.
National Parks and National Landscapes represent our shared heritage and support our nation’s health and wellbeing. They are also crucial to delivering our commitments to tackle climate change and restore nature. To support them in this role we introduced measures in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 placing a stronger requirement on partners to deliver on the statutory purposes of these areas.