Dumfries and Galloway Council urges the Scottish Government to hold National Park referendum

Councillors in Dumfries and Galloway have voted in favour of urging the Scottish Government to hold a local referendum on the proposals to create a new National Park.

Galloway picked as preferred site out of a shortlist of five locations, in July 2024. Since then local public opinion has become divisive on whether plans to build the park should go ahead.

A 12-week public consultation was launched to give the local community a chance to share their views, in November 2024.

Campaigners against the plans of a National Park gathered outside the council's headquarters in Dumfries and Galloway on 12 December 2024.

Gabrielle Harrington, who's against the plans, says the issue has created "a lot of bitterness" amongst the local community.

She said: "There's some people in favour, there's some against. And the only way to solve it is a referendum, everybody has their say then, even the people sitting quietly at home who don't want to be seen or heard."

Jamie Blackett, who also gathered outside the Dumfries and Galloway Council, says 'you cannot argue with a democratic vote'.

He said: "What people will not accept is if a National Park goes ahead on the basis of the consultations that have gone ahead so far.

"There's a lot of mistrust about the whole process and I think people think that if a Galloway national park is to go ahead it should be done democratically."

The two national parks in Scotland are the Cairngorms and the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs - it has now been more than 20 years since a new Scottish area was granted National Park status.

Rob Lucas, from the Galloway National Park Association, says the debate on a new National Park in southern Scotland is "more complicated than a simple yes or no question".

He said: "I think we're actually undertaking a very widespread consultation which has gone out to fifty-two thousand households in the area. The first question being, would you like a national park or not?

"That looks pretty similar to what a referendum format would be doing, so it just seems like it's asking for something that's already happening.

"Referendums are not known for bringing people together, I believe they cause more division."

“We will await the Scottish Government’s response with interest and, in the meantime, urge the public to take part in the official consultation process which is where they can make their voices heard," he added.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “The consultation on the proposal for a new National Park is underway and I am grateful that a date has been set for members of the Council to consider their response to it.

"Their debate highlighted concerns about access to paper copies of the consultation and I would urge anyone who wishes one to contact NatureScot and they will be sent copies.

"Alternatively, the full consultation survey is available online and all views will be listened to and fully considered.

“We recognise that there are differing views, which is why it is imperative that all those with an interest have their say – including whether or not they want a National Park in the area – before the consultation closes in February.

"Unlike a referendum, this consultation not only asks if people want a National Park in their area, but also what the area, governance and powers of a new park might be, and it allows everyone in Galloway, South and East Ayrshire and beyond the opportunity to consider the proposal and share their views.”

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