Petitioner: John Mayhew on behalf of SCNP and APRS
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
13 March 2015
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to prepare and implement a strategy to designate more National Parks in Scotland, including at least one Coastal and Marine National Park.
Summary:
28 April 2015: The Committee took evidence from John Mayhew, John Thomson, Hon. Secretary, Scottish Campaign for National Parks and Charles Millar, Chairman, Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, RSPB Scotland, NFU Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, the John Muir Trust and the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee. Link to Official Report 28 April 2015
23 June 2015: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. Link to Official Report 23 June 2015
27 October 2015: The Committee agreed to close the petition, under Rule 15.7, on the basis that there is a lack of consensus amongst stakeholders on the petition’s aims. Link to Official Report 27 October 2015
Written Submissions:
Scotland’s landscapes are amongst the best in the world, but we only have two National Parks, the highest national accolade which can be given to a place. Scotland’s first two National Parks have achieved a great deal in their first decade, and they inspire pride and passion amongst local people and visitors. There are other outstanding landscapes in Scotland worthy of National Park designation, and local and national public support for this. More National Parks would generate many environmental, social and economic benefits. They would bring additional resources, strengthen Scotland’s international standing for environmental protection and support our crucial tourism industry. It is now time that the Scottish Government prepared a strategy to designate more of Scotland’s land, coast and sea as National Parks.