THE
PROCESS
In its ‘Programme for Government’ for the current Parliamentary term (May 2021 – May 2026) Scottish Government committed to creating at least one new National Park in the life of the Parliament.
The commitment to at least one new National park is a game changer for Galloway’s bid after 5 years of ‘no plans to create additional National Parks’.
That change came about as a result of lobbying locally and nationally and means we can now focus on working to ensure Galloway is chosen from what is likely to be a busy field of 10 or more nomination bids.
The Scottish Government has been developing an evaluation framework for potential bids and this will be formally launched by the Minister in Oct 2023
Galloway will be submitting a bid by February 2024 which will be considered, along with any other bids, by a panel who will advise the Minister.
We are expecting an announcement in early summer 2024 on which areas the Minister is proposing to designate as new National Parks. If Galloway is successful at this stage, the formal consultation period begins (likely 9 months) followed by the development of designation orders as set out in the National Parks Scotland Act.
Making Galloway a National Park can only happen if it’s what local communities want. We are working on technical arguments to support the idea, but these are not enough on their own. Scottish Ministers will only start the process of designation if they can see genuine, grassroots approval.
Our discussion paper was published in October 2017 and we carried a large community engagement exercise. With over 100 meetings and a lively discussion on social media we gathered views from every community in the area. Some 84% of you agree or strongly agree that Galloway should become a National Park. Click here to read the summary results.
That change came about as a result of lobbying locally and nationally and means we can now focus on working to ensure Galloway is chosen from what is likely to be a busy field of 10 or more nomination bids.
The Scottish Government has been developing an evaluation framework for potential bids and this will be formally launched by the Minister in Oct 2023
Galloway will be submitting a bid by February 2024 which will be considered, along with any other bids, by a panel who will advise the Minister.
We are expecting an announcement in early summer 2024 on which areas the Minister is proposing to designate as new National Parks. If Galloway is successful at this stage, the formal consultation period begins (likely 9 months) followed by the development of designation orders as set out in the National Parks Scotland Act.
Making Galloway a National Park can only happen if it’s what local communities want. We are working on technical arguments to support the idea, but these are not enough on their own. Scottish Ministers will only start the process of designation if they can see genuine, grassroots approval.
Our discussion paper was published in October 2017 and we carried a large community engagement exercise. With over 100 meetings and a lively discussion on social media we gathered views from every community in the area. Some 84% of you agree or strongly agree that Galloway should become a National Park. Click here to read the summary results.
That's why we are now campaigning for Galloway to become Scotland’s third National Park – and we still need your help.
We have set out the case in Galloway National Park - it’s our time and we are updating that information as the evaluation framework is developed.
It is likely not all of the potential area will fit within the evaluation framework but that will be based on the Minister’s decisions.
Our priority is to have as much of the area as possible benefiting from Galloway being designated as a National Park.
We have set out the case in Galloway National Park - it’s our time and we are updating that information as the evaluation framework is developed.
It is likely not all of the potential area will fit within the evaluation framework but that will be based on the Minister’s decisions.
Our priority is to have as much of the area as possible benefiting from Galloway being designated as a National Park.
