Wild Land News no 53, Summer 2001

Focus on National Parks Article

John Digney reports on extra funding for enlarged Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park

Following the public consultation period which ended earlier this year, the Scottish Executive's final proposals for the structure of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park were announced in June by the Deputy Environment Minister, Rhona Brankin.

The most significant element was the decision to enlarge the boundary well beyond the originally identified core area, with extensions in several directions. The result is largely as we in SWLG, like several other voluntary organisations, had urged in our response to the consultation.

To the north, the boundary now embraces Strath Fillan and the western part of Glen Dochart, so that Crianlarich and Tyndrum are included together with the mountain ranges immediately to their south. To the north-east it incorporates Loch Earn and the twin summits of Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin. The Lake of Menteith is included, as is Glen Fruin near Helensburh.

Most notable is perhaps the inclusion of the Argyll Forest Park to the south-west, against the recommendation of Scottish Natural Heritage. There was, however, particularly strong local support for inclusion of this area, which suffers from the legacy of extensive commercial afforestation. The result is that the boundary will reach down to the Firth of Clyde, with Dunoon, although not quite within the National Park, acting as a natural south-west gateway to it.

Although the enlarged boundary was in general warmly welcomed, there was concern among local authorities and the interim park committee that the budget of £5.8m would be insufficient for the wider area.

Perfectly on cue a few days later, it was announced that an extra £2m of European money would be made available. This would finance a marketing programme, a visitor communication and infrastructure early actions programme, a new entrance and path network for Glen Finglas, and public access improvements to the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.

The National Park Authority (NPA) will consist of 25 members - 5 directly elected, 10 Local Authority nominees and 10 direct appointments by Scottish Ministers. This NPA will be the planning authority for the park area in terms of preparation of the local plan and development control, together with various conservation and environmental responsibilities. The existing Local Authorities will retain responsibility for structure planning with the NPA as a consultee.

A bill is now to follow, with enactment by the end of the year. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is to be up and running by 1st April 2002.