Dumfries and Galloway Council’s stance of being ‘undecided’ on the controversial Galloway National Park bid has sparked mixed reactions from rival campaigners. The Galloway National Park Association, led by chairman Rob Lucas, sees this as a positive development, describing it as “excellent news” that the council will continue its consultation involvement. On the other hand, No Galloway National Park, co-founded by Denise Brownlee, views this decision as a setback, stating it “throws a huge spanner in the works.”
The council convened a special full meeting recently to deliberate on their response to NatureScot’s consultation regarding the proposed national park. Campaigners from both sides gathered ahead of the meeting to voice their opinions. The councillors were faced with more than 20 questions, with the pivotal one being whether they supported the creation of a national park in south west Scotland. In a close vote, 25 councillors opted to remain ‘undecided’ to await further information, while 15 leaned towards support.
Following the meeting, Rob Lucas reiterated the importance of the council’s continued involvement in the consultation process. He highlighted the potential benefits a national park could bring to the region, emphasizing the opportunity to support communities and the environment. However, Denise Brownlee expressed concerns about the lack of clarity and information surrounding the national park proposal, indicating a need for more facts before supporting such a significant decision.
The consultation period is set to end on February 14, with many councillors expected to submit their own representations before then.
In summary, the ‘undecided’ stance taken by Dumfries and Galloway Council on the Galloway National Park bid has elicited differing responses from campaigners, with some viewing it as a step in the right direction for further consultation, while others see it as a complicating factor in the national park proposal process. The decision highlights the need for more information and clarity before a concrete stance can be taken on this contentious issue.