A referendum for Galloway National Park might not be ruled out completely
The consultation is “dividing communities”.
Last week, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon ruled out the possibility of a referendum on the park being held.
But it seems that isn't the end of the story.
There's to be a vote on the issue at next week's Dumfries and Galloway Council meeting after independent councillor Dougie Campbell lodged a motion.
He says the ongoing consultation is 'dividing communities in a way he's never seen before'.
A demonstration held by supporters of the No Galloway National Park (NGNP) campaign is to take place next Thursday whilst council members discuss the motion.
Campbell says: “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 and local decision-making. There can be no better way to demonstrate this by holding a local referendum."
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When Gougeon spoke out to MSPs about a consultation taking place, she told them: “I think it’s important we see that through” and claimed it would produce “wider qualitative information”.
At last week’s Holyrood Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, she said: “I'm in favour more of that process because I think within that we ask people if they want a national park within that area.”
She was asked if plans for a local referendum would be ruled out and answered: “Yes”.
The Galloway National Park Association says a fair and robust process is already in place, that a referendum would cost a large amount of taxpayer’s money, and that residents in parts of South and East Ayrshire covered by the proposed park would also need to be given a vote.
The consultation run by Nature Scot ends in February.