What is a National Park, and what is it for?
The term National Park is used throughout the world to describe protected areas of land or water of outstanding national significance. The title means different things to different people but all National Parks have some key features in common:
they are areas of land or water which are of the very highest value to the nation for their scenery and wildlife, and often for their cultural heritage too;
they are managed in a way that safeguards their special qualities for the long term;
they are usually highly attractive places to visit and they provide opportunities for people to enjoy them.
National Parks in Scotland and throughout the UK are classified by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as a Category V protected landscape or seascape. This means they are areas which have distinct character and significant ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value which should be safeguarded through a balanced interaction between people and nature.
National Parks in Scotland are different from many others around the world because, in addition to conserving and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage, they include aims to help promote the sustainable use of natural resources and the social and economic development of local communities in the Park.
Most land in our National Parks is not owned by the state. Instead, our National Parks work more through partnership to care for these special places, while recognising the needs of those who live and work there.
Scotland’s National Parks receive funding from Scottish Government and they attract investment from other sources to help safeguard the natural and cultural heritage, and promote its sustainable use and enjoyment by people. Each Park has a dedicated National Park Authority that helps to plan and co-ordinate work for the long-term interest of the area and also give local people a chance to be more directly involved in its governance.
Each National Park Authority is required to prepare a five-year National Park Partnership Plan. These overarching management plans set out how all those with a responsibility in each park, across public, private and voluntary organisations, will coordinate their work to address the most important issues in relation to conservation, visitor experience and social and economic development.
Source: NatureScot
Why does Scotland need new National Parks?
Scotland’s first two National Parks have performed well as models of sustainable development, delivering conservation alongside rural economic development and recreation. The Scottish Government considers the time is now right to establish at least one further National Park. It also wants to see all our National Parks contribute more to tackling climate change and protecting and restoring nature, whilst supporting the local economy, creating jobs and opportunities for local businesses and attracting investment.
Source: NatureScot
Will designating an area as a National Park have an impact on the availability of affordable housing for residents?
Access to affordable housing for local residents either to rent or buy is an issue in many parts of rural Scotland and has been recognised as a priority issue to be addressed in both of our existing National Parks. For example, the Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan states:
“Access to affordable housing came out very strongly in the public consultation and we acknowledge that, like many other rural communities across the UK, there is a significant risk of local residents – and in particular young people – being priced out of the market. Whilst there is no silver bullet, tackling the number of second homes, vacant properties and short term lets should increase available housing stock, and we will set ambitious targets on new housing development to ensure the majority is for social rental, mid-market rental or other affordable categories, and that this remains the case in perpetuity”.
The Scottish Government’s aim is to support local areas to increase the supply and availability of homes for living in and it has committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 of which at least 70% will be available for social rent and 10% will be in our remote, rural and island communities.
Scottish Government is also developing a Remote, Rural and Islands Housing Action Plan to help attract and retain people in these communities and it has been engaging with a wide range of stakeholders to help inform the Plan’s development.
Source: NatureScot
Will a third National Park be similar to the existing two?
To enable each National Park to address the specific needs and circumstances of its area, the legislation allows for significant differences in the powers, functions, governance and administration of each Park Authority. While the arrangements for Scotland’s next National Park could be similar to the first two, it could also be different. For example, a new National Park could:
cover a different size of area (smaller or larger) or a different size of population;
include marine areas;
be located within fewer local authority areas or a single local authority area;
have a different range of powers and functions (e.g. planning functions);
have different governance and/or staffing models;
be designated for different reasons to the existing National Parks.
Source: NatureScot
Who will pay for a new National Park? How much will it cost?
National Parks in Scotland are centrally funded by the Scottish Government through Grant in Aid. This funding is allocated to the Parks to deliver on the statutory aims of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 and the functions and duties conferred on the Parks. The costs of establishing and running a new National Park in Scotland will be considered by the Scottish Parliament before final decisions are made.
The cost of a new National Park depends on a range of factors and cannot be determined until an area has been selected and the proposed boundary, powers and functions of the National Park have been agreed. The Scottish Government’s combined 2023-24 budget allocation for Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority and Cairngorms National Park Authority was £20.9 million. The Scottish Government has committed to provide funding for at least one new National Park.
Source: NatureScot
To whom will the new National Park be accountable?
National Park authorities are established as executive non-departmental public bodies. They operate at arm’s lengths from Scottish Government and are accountable to the Scottish Parliament. The relationship with government is set out in a Framework Agreement between National Park authorities and Scottish Ministers.
National Park authority boards provide leadership and agree the overall direction of the National Park. They also oversee the work of the National Park staff. Boards are made up of:
members that are appointed by Scottish Ministers;
members that are elected locally (by postal ballot of the local electorate); and
members that are nominated by the local authorities in the park area and then appointed by Scottish Ministers.
Each National Park Authority is required to develop a National Park Plan. This overarching management plan needs to go through an extensive process of public consultation before it is finalised and this also offers a basis for local accountability. National Park Plans set out how all those with a responsibility in each park across public, private and voluntary organisations will coordinate their work to address the most important issues in relation to conservation, visitor experience and social and economic development.
Source: NatureScot
Will local people be guaranteed representation on the national Park Authority?
Yes. At least 20% of the National Park Board’s members are directly elected local people. Of the remainder, half are nominated by local authorities within the area and the other half are appointed by Scottish Ministers.
Source: NatureScot
What are the roles of the staff who work for a National Park Authority?
The National Park authorities for Loch Lomond & the Trossachs and Cairngorms employ staff who work on a range of issues within the National Park Plan including the conservation of the Park’s natural and cultural heritage, the sustainable use of natural resources, visitor management, education and social and economic development of the local communities. The staff work across a range of areas including:
conservation and nature restoration
heritage
land management
planning
ranger services
skills development
recreation and outdoor access
education, learning and volunteering
visitor experience and management
communications, campaigns, events and publications
business management
Source: NatureScot
Is the Scottish Government proposing to make changes to the National Park legislation?
Scottish Government is consulting on proposed changes to the national parks legislation to strengthen the leadership role of National Parks in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises whilst also welcoming visitors and supporting local communities and businesses. The consultation includes proposed changes to the National Park aims, powers and governance.
The consultation closed on 14 December 2023. Scottish Government will give careful consideration to the consultation responses before coming forward with any draft provisions to be included in the forthcoming Natural Environment Bill.
Source: NatureScot