Motion on referendum for Galloway National Park goes before councillors
The question of whether or not Galloway should be designated Scotland's third National Park has proved divisive
A motion calling for a referendum, giving the public a chance to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to Galloway being designated as Scotland’s next national park, will be heard at Thursday’s Dumfries and Galloway Council meeting.
Just like the nation was given a voice in 2014 in the Independence Referendum, a group of councillors is arguing that the people who live in Galloway should be heard on such an important issue for the area.
At the full council meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Dee and Glenkens Councillor Dougie Campbell will table a motion calling on the Scottish Government to hold a local referendum on the Galloway National Park proposals.
READ MORE: Consultation on Galloway National Park plan begins
The plea is that, following a consultation by Nature Scot, and prior to any decision by ministers, people living in the area should then vote on whether or not Galloway should be given national park status.
Councillor Campbell, of the Democratic Alliance Group, said: “The bedrock of democracy is people having a meaningful say on their own future.
“The proposal that Galloway is designated as Scotland’s next national park could have significant ramifications for generations to come.
“The ongoing consultation is dividing our communities in a way I have never seen before, and people feel disempowered.
“That’s why it’s important that the Scottish Government stands by its very own values of supporting rural communities, community empowerment, local decision making. There can be no better way to demonstrate this by holding a local referendum.”
The motion will be seconded by Castle Douglas and Crocketford Ward.
The Conservatives Councillor said: “The Galloway Park Association state ‘A National Park Made In Galloway For Galloway,’ yet the vast majority of residents feel that the Nature Scot consultation is flawed and does not meet the national standards of engagement.
“A referendum is a clearer and fairer method of listening to our constituents with a straight yes or a no.”
Castle Douglas and Crocketford Councillor Iain Howie, of the Democratic Alliance Group, added: “Whether rightly or wrongly it has to be accepted that a large percentage of the community fear that their views on the issue will not be adequately articulated by Nature Scot’s consultation process.
“As such the best way of allaying these fears would be to hold a local referendum and that is why we as a group support this motion.”
Councillor Willie Scobie, Democratic Alliance Group, representing Stranraer and the Rhins ward, added: “On such a huge issue, it is only fair to give the people the right to vote. The Democratic Alliance Group is right in calling for a referendum on the matter so everyone can have their say.”
READ MORE: MSPs told about "divisive" plans for Galloway National Park
Opponents of a national park in the area say the region lacks the infrastructure to deal with the influx of tourism the status would bring, and that local people would be priced out of getting on the housing ladder. Those in favour argue the status would bring huge economic, social and environmental benefits to the region.
While there is divided opinion on the national park plans and a campaign has been launched against them, it looks unlikely that the Scottish Government will approve a local referendum on this issue.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon already rejected the idea, arguing that an ongoing consultation would allow residents in the area to express their opinion on the proposals.
Galloway was announced in July as the planned spot for Scotland’s third national park, after the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.