.jpg)
Scotland's two National Parks, The Cairngorms, and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Parks, play an important role in tackling the biodiversity and climate crises, while also supporting local communities, businesses, farms and visitors.
The parks are managed by park authorities, most of which are directly elected locally or through the local authorities, and are supported by government and grant funding, enabling the development of long-term projects to tackle problems like those mentioned above, support communities, and restore the environment.
Lochaber has been considered as a potential location for a National Park for over 70 years, and with good reason: we have the highest mountain in the UK, spectacular mountain and coastal scenery, Atlantic rainforest and ancient Caledonian pine forest, complex geology, and a long cultural history - over 1,600 square kilometres of Lochaber already lies within National Scenic Areas.
Millions of people visit Lochaber every year, so we also experience all the visitor pressures of a National Park, but we do not currently have the resources available to manage them. People are coming here in huge numbers anyway and a National Park would help manage for this in a strategic, coordinated way that would alleviate some of the strain. One benefit of this would be a well resourced, large team of rangers working right across Lochaber as well as better visitor infrastructure and information.
A National Park would give us the option of bringing the planning authority back to Lochaber. Currently The Highland Council is the planning authority and it can feel like decisions are made a long way away. There is a housing crisis right across The Highlands and most of Scotland. National Parks can help by demanding that more affordable housing is built as a proportion of new builds. 3000 houses have been built in Cairngorms National Park since its designation - National Parks do not stop house building or sustainable business development.
National Parks support communities by creating networks of community action companies and community councils, by supporting their work and helping them develop Local Place Plans. They can provide match funding for projects and help communities source and apply for other funding.
National Parks can also lever in other funding such as the £48m expected to be awarded to Cairngorms National Park from Heritage Lottery Funding. This will be put towards a huge programme of projects including one designed to reduce traffic on the roads in Aviemore by 20% by 2030.
A local National Park Working Group has been working locally to try to establish if there is support for the designation in Lochaber. Public meetings have been held in Fort William, Strontian, Glencoe, Invergarry, Spean Bridge and Arisaig, with three taking place online at which anyone has been able to attend to learn more, ask questions and express their views.
Lochaber has been considered as a potential location for a National Park for over 70 years, and with good reason: we have the highest mountain in the UK, spectacular mountain and coastal scenery, Atlantic rainforest and ancient Caledonian pine forest, complex geology, and a long cultural history - over 1,600 square kilometres of Lochaber already lies within National Scenic Areas.
Millions of people visit Lochaber every year, so we also experience all the visitor pressures of a National Park, but we do not currently have the resources available to manage them. People are coming here in huge numbers anyway and a National Park would help manage for this in a strategic, coordinated way that would alleviate some of the strain. One benefit of this would be a well resourced, large team of rangers working right across Lochaber as well as better visitor infrastructure and information.
A National Park would give us the option of bringing the planning authority back to Lochaber. Currently The Highland Council is the planning authority and it can feel like decisions are made a long way away. There is a housing crisis right across The Highlands and most of Scotland. National Parks can help by demanding that more affordable housing is built as a proportion of new builds. 3000 houses have been built in Cairngorms National Park since its designation - National Parks do not stop house building or sustainable business development.
National Parks support communities by creating networks of community action companies and community councils, by supporting their work and helping them develop Local Place Plans. They can provide match funding for projects and help communities source and apply for other funding.
National Parks can also lever in other funding such as the £48m expected to be awarded to Cairngorms National Park from Heritage Lottery Funding. This will be put towards a huge programme of projects including one designed to reduce traffic on the roads in Aviemore by 20% by 2030.
A local National Park Working Group has been working locally to try to establish if there is support for the designation in Lochaber. Public meetings have been held in Fort William, Strontian, Glencoe, Invergarry, Spean Bridge and Arisaig, with three taking place online at which anyone has been able to attend to learn more, ask questions and express their views.
In addition, there have been meetings with Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Glen Etive, Lochaline, Kinlochleven, Gairlochy, Spean Bridge and Roy Bridge Community Councils, as well as meetings with accommodation providers, land owners and people working in communities. Two drop-in events were held in Fort William but, unfortunately, the one in Ballachulish was cancelled due to the snow last week. In total, over 500 people have attended face to face events.
If short-listed, the second phase will involve widespread, in-depth community consultation to determine park priorities, boundaries, and management structure. At this stage a park boundary does not need to be identified.
If there is sufficient support, a nomination for Lochaber will be placed in February, but it is crucially important that everyone has the chance to have their say.
If short-listed, the second phase will involve widespread, in-depth community consultation to determine park priorities, boundaries, and management structure. At this stage a park boundary does not need to be identified.
If there is sufficient support, a nomination for Lochaber will be placed in February, but it is crucially important that everyone has the chance to have their say.
Mike Pescod, chair of Nevis Landscape Partnership, said
"Lochaber is an incredible place to live in and to visit - what's clear is that people on all sides of the National Park debate share the same pride and passion for our area.
Those of us leading the campaign for National Park designation simply feel it's the best way to give Lochaber the recognition it deserves, along with the additional resources our communities need to fulfil our potential and address the challenges this area faces.
We urge everyone who loves Lochaber to check out our website, find out more about what National Park designation might look like here, ask questions via our Facebook page or email, and share your views in our online survey.
Supporting the nomination at this stage is no guarantee we will become a National Park, but it will give Lochaber the chance to continue the conversation and further explore whether this opportunity is for us."
Those of us leading the campaign for National Park designation simply feel it's the best way to give Lochaber the recognition it deserves, along with the additional resources our communities need to fulfil our potential and address the challenges this area faces.
We urge everyone who loves Lochaber to check out our website, find out more about what National Park designation might look like here, ask questions via our Facebook page or email, and share your views in our online survey.
Supporting the nomination at this stage is no guarantee we will become a National Park, but it will give Lochaber the chance to continue the conversation and further explore whether this opportunity is for us."
I think you need to make more effort to consult with the communities who will be affected. Meeting 1 out of 6 community councils on this side of the ferry isn’t good enough . Personally I hope Ardnamurchan is excluded from your plans
ReplyDeleteI wish to put on public record that i am very unhappy with the "public" consultation process to date. Very few residents have been reached and actually know about it. Very Few community councils engaged with the process and the survey is biast to push for a National park and can be submitted multiple times! And even with fictitious email addresses! I do not trust the survey and i don't want us nominated using it!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. I only heard about it last week and as you say, the survey is completely biased.
DeleteThis entire push for a new national park is a bad idea and I do not believe it will benefit the area or locals what’s so ever but take away our freedom and tighten restrictions.
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with this and the public consultation was next to nil.
ReplyDeleteI wish to make it know that myself and family totally disagree with a National park. It’s a disgrace that you all are sneaking around keeping all of this very quiet. Not engaging with the public or communities in Lochaber and limiting who can or cannot comment on your pages. Taking comments down so as to make you all look like you’re doing a good job.
ReplyDeleteConcerned the survey is most definitely flawed in that multiple entries can be made with no e mail addresses checked and biased towards anyone not in the yes campaign
that those running this campaign have a hidden agenda to secure jobs and work.
We DO NOT want a national park. Stop being the voice of Lochaber against the wishes of the locals who live here!!
ReplyDeleteFor the record my family and I are completely against a national park. Please ask ALL the residents of the area for their opinions don't just use your own opinuon and that of your friends. I think you'll find many residents are against it or know nothing about it.
ReplyDeleteWe don’t need a national park in the outdoor capital of Scotland!! I strongly disagree to a National Park here in Fort William. There is no need for it, and I feel like it will not support us in any positive way. We also have plenty/most of these services you have stated in place already. I also strongly disagree with reintroducing wild animals, which is detrimental to farmers and crofters, our current wildlife and also a safety issue to outdoor exploring for children and adults. Every resident of this area should be included in this decision and not just a few off! National Park promises are not followed through and only the locals will suffer. Please leave Fort William alone, we are amazing the way we are and WITHOUT a National Park!!
ReplyDeleteIn what way is reintroduction detrimental? It is also far more than fort William.
DeleteYes, it is far more than Fort William, but I am local to this area therefore I am highlighting my concerns for my area, but ultimately I do not want a national park in Lochaber area regardless. Wild animals eat crofter's live stock!! The current wildlife that we have will also become food for these new wild animals, and also probably a threat to pets, such a rabbits, cats, birds, small dogs etc. There is absolutely no need to reintroduce wild animals.
DeleteNo guarantee of any reintroductions, but currently (as an example) deer are culled due to the fact we eradicated their predators. Predators are a crucial part of the ecosystem. There are mitigations in place for livestock loss as I'm sure you know. Equally primary predator is and always will be golden eagle, but I assume you want to rid us of them too
DeleteExcuse me we have Stalkers on estates for the deer!!
DeleteNO TO A NATIONAL PARK IN LOCHABER! Certainly when everything is being done behind the residents backs, without proper consultation and a part of the survey does not give the option to say "none of the above". National parks around the UK are not working for locals, so do not include us in the plans for a new one.
ReplyDeleteConsultation was well publicised. First meeting I went to was many months ago.
DeleteIt does not look like yoiu have the support to progress this New National Park idea - I do not know anyone that is in favour of it !
ReplyDeleteWhy would we want another national park? I have never heard anyone living in the CNP or LTNP say a positive word about living in one. Your survey is ludicrous and biased at best.
ReplyDeleteBut they don’t want to listen to what the residents have to say
DeleteThat just isn't true in any way shape or form. I've been to several meetings, all very open. I can only assume you haven't
DeleteDefinite NO to a National Park in Lochaber.
ReplyDeletePublic Consultation? If it wasn't for locals that actually care about what goes one in the communities they live in there are a lot of people, myself included, that would have had no idea that this was going ahead. Again, No to a Lochaber NP.
100% agree
DeleteIt's the ones that don't care that are objecting. It's Brexit mark 2
DeleteI strongly disagree to a national park in Lochaber. It will bring no real benefits to the people living and working in lochaber, including farmers, crofters, aquaculture industry and many more. To many restrictions and red tape will hamper or bring an end to many small businesses, estates etc. The funding available for a National Park would be much better spent on providing projects the local community actually needs, such as a new Hospital and affordable housing.
ReplyDeleteNo to a National Park!!
ReplyDeleteIt’s a fantastic idea in the most special and wild natural landscape in the UK. There’s clearly a lot of misinformation out there looking at the comments above. Public consultation has been brilliant and 2 way at every stage. I have spoken to dozens of people and it only seems to be those with an agenda or don’t understand that have a problem
ReplyDeleteRubbish. Biased survey that is almost impossible to fill out. Nonsense.
DeleteAbsolute nonsense,no misinformation! Plenty research into other parks etc
DeleteHomework done a definite NO
Seems like a great idea to take the Outdoor Capital of the UK, where locals and tourist come to do a wide variety of activities in lots of locations, then prevent them from doing it, or charge them extortionate fees for doing so. On top of that, encourage even more visitors to bombard an area that doesn't even have the infrastructure or money to cope with current visitors. But it's fine, they have £13 million per year to throw at a National Park, which almost half is just wages. Fantastic idea!
DeleteHence the misinformation comment. In no way would it prevent any of these things. Actually read the legislation rather than jumping to conclusions or reading nonsense
DeleteMy family and I are strongly against the imposition of a National Park on us in Lochaber. Not wanted, unnecessary and not welcome. Efforts should be directed at fixing the problems that are right in front of us in Lochaber - potholes, ferry and supporting the rural economy.
ReplyDeleteNo no no to the park, we do not need.or want it here in Lochaber
ReplyDeletePlease do not make this area a National park, we have enough issues locally with lack of support from the goverment and do not need further red tape that will strangle the local economy
ReplyDeleteThe locals are tired of ‘do gooders’ moving to the area and telling us what’s best for us all. If you’re not happy in Lochaber, move to the utopia that you want instead. LEAVE US AND OUR LAND ALONE.
ReplyDelete100% disagree with making this area a National park!! Only found out about this ludicrous idea through fb as it was so kept under the radar to a lot of people !!
ReplyDeleteOnly way I found out was through Facebook, no community engagement which I find shyin a democratic society. Our area is beautiful enough and has been kept that way for generations through true local leadership. 100% don’t need any more Quango organisations telling us what we can and can’t do. Truthfully I find this very underhanded and do not trust the true intentions of any of the proposers.
ReplyDeleteNo to lochaber National Park 🚫
ReplyDeleteWhy should another National Park be imposed on Scotland? just because two Political Parties can press for independence and gang up and support each other in the Scot Gov chamber and the wee party (Greens) who received a minimal support in the last election can wag the tail of the dog. If an area is of natural beauty and has outstanding features but lacks funding then fund it directly through local councils who are better placed to make decisions on capital and revenue spending. If you can make monies available for a park authority you can make it available to all. There are many scenic areas throughout Scotland that deserve better funding, not just the chosen few who will be just a puppet of Govermetnt and a derailed one at that.
ReplyDeleteNo thanks the last thing we need is a national park if this was to go ahead it would definitely be " Lochaber no more"
ReplyDeleteDefinite no a National Park in Lochaber .
ReplyDeleteThere was no mandate given by Lochaber people to push for a park . This role was taken on by an unelected group of people most of whom have no origins Lochaber , they have no right to speak for us .
ReplyDeleteThis bid and the survey are flawed in many ways. A National Park for lochaber is something we do not want or need. it will lead to more bureaucracy and regulation at the expense of the locals who live and work here. How many of these people wanting this park actually realise that much of its area is in Argyll and not lochaber? Areas such as Glencoe, Duror and many parts if Ardnamurchan?
ReplyDeleteThe lochaber area proposed is actually far bigger than what Lochaber is itself.
ReplyDeleteThis park proposal isn’t in the best interest of the people, it’ll have long lasting and detrimental effects on already fragile communities.
The negatives far outweigh the positives for people who live here and this is not the answer for the future of ‘Lochaber’
The people of lochaber do not want this National Park, stop pushing this bid and destroying lochaber
ReplyDeleteThe community has not been properly consulted by any stretch of the imagination. The 'working party' has very specific and limited interests, backgrounds and abilities, yet seems unwilling to listen to the wider community and take into account its concerns. There hasn't been a balanced debate, nor is the nomination based on informed decision making by the community as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI am part of the community and knew nothing about this "National Park" until recently. Public consultation? What public consultation? Like most do-good groups, they fail to engage the only people who actually matter - local residents. I actually very strongly object to both not being asked whether or not I want a National park here, and to actually having a National park. It is of absolutely no benefit to the people of Lochaber, or anywhere else for that matter.
ReplyDeleteS40walker@gmail.com
ReplyDelete