Scottish Government set to give major update on Galloway National Park proposal
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon will make a ministerial statement on the issue at Holyrood next week.
The Scottish Government will make an announcement on the controversial Galloway National Park proposal next week.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon is set to make a ministerial statement on the issue at Holyrood on Thursday.
The organisation is acting as the Scottish Government's reporter on the proposal to make Galloway the country's third national park – a matter which has proven deeply divisive.
The Galloway National Park Association claims a national park would bring major investment and international attention to the region.
However, the No Galloway National Park campaign has a string of concerns, including the potential for over tourism, rising house prices and whether existing infrastructure could cope with more visitors.
Dumfries and Galloway Councillors are undecided on whether or not to back the idea and NFU Scotland claims three quarters of members are against the idea.
Should Thursday's announcement see the Scottish Government decide to continue with the process, a further round of public consultation will follow.
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP, Finlay Carson, said: 'What has resulted from this whole exercise is bitter division and anger within our communities that will potentially take years to heal.
'Neighbour turning on neighbour, good friends falling out – and above all, the creation of a great mistrust that will take a long time to heal, if ever.
'What should have been an exercise on potentially improving the quality of life in Galloway, creating employment opportunities, boosting the local economy quickly descended into nasty bickering as both camps slugged it out like heavyweight boxers.
'It is imperative that, with or without designation the Scottish Government for once steps up and supports our ignored corner of Scotland
'From the outset, I believed the consultation process to be flawed and even met with the Cabinet Secretary to discuss my grave concerns.
'My hope is that she will not have forgotten this when considering her decision.'
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