Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 13 November 2013
13 Nov 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Parks
As the member knows, I have written to her on the matter. The key issue is really the support of local authorities for the extension to the regional park boundary. It is for the member to make the case to the communities and the local authorities on what is meant by a regional park and a national park. I can certainly confirm that a regional park is a different beast from a national park. We strongly support the work of the Pentland hills regional park and indeed Clyde Muirshiel regional park.
The Scottish Government felt that the best outcome for the Harris community was not necessarily a national park. Highlands and Islands Enterprise has already provided assistance to Harris—for example, support for the £1.2 million Heritage Lottery Fund landscape partnership, and support for the Harris hotel, Hotel Hebrides, Kilda Cruises, the Isle of Harris golf club, fishery piers and the community shop—to deliver the economic benefits that were sought through a designation for Harris.
I am aware that the primary focus of the SCNP and the APRS, in seeking further national park designation, is the protection of the landscape. I recognise the strong calls for that, but it seems to me that they have something different in mind from the model that the Parliament agreed, in which the fourth aim of national parks is to promote sustainable economic development and social development of the area’s communities. As members have said, the parks have been achieving that successfully, in balance with the other aims, over the past 10 years.
I fully recognise and welcome the support for the concept of national parks, and I have no doubt that those who work in them and the stakeholders who are involved with them will welcome the Parliament’s support today for their work and its recognition of the successes that they have achieved. I acknowledge that they contribute more than £260 million to local economies and attract more than 5 million visitors a year. They are positive players in our conservation and biodiversity objectives.
Investment in the parks in recent years, including for shovel-ready projects, reflects their economic importance and our continued commitment to enhancing facilities for visitors, supporting green tourism and creating new employment opportunities. At this time, our priority is to make sure that the two national parks are as successful as they can be. We should not risk their financial health by looking at other, additional parks, which would raise expectations among communities only for them to be disappointed at the end of the process.
Meeting closed at 17:39.
The Scottish Government felt that the best outcome for the Harris community was not necessarily a national park. Highlands and Islands Enterprise has already provided assistance to Harris—for example, support for the £1.2 million Heritage Lottery Fund landscape partnership, and support for the Harris hotel, Hotel Hebrides, Kilda Cruises, the Isle of Harris golf club, fishery piers and the community shop—to deliver the economic benefits that were sought through a designation for Harris.
I am aware that the primary focus of the SCNP and the APRS, in seeking further national park designation, is the protection of the landscape. I recognise the strong calls for that, but it seems to me that they have something different in mind from the model that the Parliament agreed, in which the fourth aim of national parks is to promote sustainable economic development and social development of the area’s communities. As members have said, the parks have been achieving that successfully, in balance with the other aims, over the past 10 years.
I fully recognise and welcome the support for the concept of national parks, and I have no doubt that those who work in them and the stakeholders who are involved with them will welcome the Parliament’s support today for their work and its recognition of the successes that they have achieved. I acknowledge that they contribute more than £260 million to local economies and attract more than 5 million visitors a year. They are positive players in our conservation and biodiversity objectives.
Investment in the parks in recent years, including for shovel-ready projects, reflects their economic importance and our continued commitment to enhancing facilities for visitors, supporting green tourism and creating new employment opportunities. At this time, our priority is to make sure that the two national parks are as successful as they can be. We should not risk their financial health by looking at other, additional parks, which would raise expectations among communities only for them to be disappointed at the end of the process.
Meeting closed at 17:39.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-07932, in the name of Claire Baker, on national parks: unfinished business. The debate...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
Establishing the national parks was one of the early achievements of the Scottish Parliament. The legislation was steered through by Sarah Boyack, who was th...
Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP)
SNP
I congratulate Claire Baker on securing the debate. Although I supported her motion, she will be aware that I have lodged what I hope she sees as a friendly ...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Claire Baker on securing the debate and welcome the publication by the SCNP and the APRS of their report, “Unfinished Business”.It is great to...
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (Paul Wheelhouse)
SNP
I thank Sarah Boyack for taking an intervention and assure that I will not take too much time over it. I simply wonder whether, having recognised the resourc...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I will give you that time back, Ms Boyack.
Sarah Boyack
Lab
Thank you very much, Presiding Officer.That is exactly why we need a ministerial lead. Over the years, there have been many suggestions for different nationa...
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Con
As other members have done, I congratulate Claire Baker on securing the debate.As a member of the Rural Affairs Committee from 1999, I was involved in Parlia...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am glad to be here to welcome the publication of the national parks strategy for Scotland. I thank my colleague Claire Baker for securing the debate, which...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I invite Paul Wheelhouse to respond to the debate. Minister, you have seven minutes.17:31
The Minister for Environment and Climate Change (Paul Wheelhouse)
SNP
Many interesting and positive comments have been made about national parks in Scotland. I congratulate Claire Baker on bringing the issue to the attention of...
Claire Baker
Lab
I, too, have had meetings with John Mayhew and others who are interested in the issue. My impression was more that they were keen for the debate to be on the...
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
Presiding Officer, I look to you for guidance on whether I will get that time back.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
You will.
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
I understand the member’s point, and I will come on to explain the wider strategy.The report states:“We consider that a pragmatic approach should be taken to...
Christine Grahame
SNP
Will the minister take an intervention?
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
I am really short of time, so I will not, unless the Presiding Officer gives me some latitude.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I will allow you extra time if you wish to take the intervention, minister.
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer.
Christine Grahame
SNP
Will the minister or his officials engage with the Pentland hills regional park consultative forum? He will be happy to hear that it is not looking for money...
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
As the member knows, I have written to her on the matter. The key issue is really the support of local authorities for the extension to the regional park bou...