This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Young people's views crucial to national park status for the Cairngorms - Peacock
28/09/1999
The young people of the Cairngorms area need to contribute to the National Park debate because they will inherit the decisions reached, Deputy Minister for Children and Education Peter Peacock said today.
Speaking at the Cairngorms Youth Conference in Perth, Mr Peacock said:
"One of the many benefits of a Scottish Parliament is that it allows solutions to be tailored to Scottish needs. To ensure this happens we need to listen to the views of all the people of Scotland, including young people.
"In the discussions over National Park status for the Cairngorms, we need to ensure that the final decisions reflect the wishes of the people living in that area. While we consider that the Cairngorms should be considered as a candidate National Park in both cultural and natural heritage terms, the final decision to designate has still to be taken.
"In previous consultation, the young people of the area described the issues most important to them such as feeling isolated by a lack of transport, but I would hope that a vibrant National Park would focus attention on the need for an integrated approach to transport.
"As a former board member of the Cairngorms Partnership, I am delighted to see the efforts being made to encourage young people in the debate over the future of the Cairngorms area. It is, after all, today's young people who have the greatest stake in the future of the area."
News Release: SE0730/99
28 September, 1999