THE Galloway National Park Association (GNPA) today launches its website and is seeking comments and input from organisations and communities across the region. As it grows over the coming months, the website will act as a forum for discussion as the GNPA’s plans begin to take shape, and the launch should serve as a first step in the consultation process which ultimately aims to lobby the Scottish Parliament for designation.
Speaking at the launch of the website, GNPA chairman Dr Alan Jones said: “Galloway is challenged by its distance from major centres of population and reduced economic activity in recent years. This has a knock-on effect on local employment, industry and investment, which in turn has made it harder than ever for our communities to keep hold of their talented, ambitious young folk when they leave school and make plans for the future.”
Scotland currently has only two National Parks: Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, although studies suggest the nation could benefit from as many as five. The Scottish Campaign for National Parks has highlighted the potential value of a number of additional locations across Scotland, and Galloway is included in their list of suitable candidates.
GNPA President Dame Barbara Kelly said: “A park would present new opportunities to provide sustainable development for tourism and recreation and find new ways to integrate these into traditional industries like farming, fishing and forestry.”
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