This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Budgets set for National Parks
29/10/2004
Scotland's National Parks will share £33 million of
Executive investment over the next three years.
Deputy Environment Minister Lewis Macdonald, during a
visit to the Cairngorms National Park to view an
exhibition, said:
"The creation of the National Parks has been a real
success for devolved Scotland. Already the National Park
Authorities are making a difference, in managing,
protecting and promoting some of the most spectacular areas
in the country.
"This funding will ensure that both authorities are set
on a strong and stable financial footing over the next
three years.
"This Exhibition and the calendar it will create are the
work of people who live in, work in, or visit the National
Park. It illustrates what they love about the area, whether
it be the scenery, wildlife, sports or even the
weather.
Andrew Thin, convener of the Cairngorms National Park
Authority, said:
"We are delighted to welcome Lewis Macdonald to the
Cairngorms National Park today.
"The fact that he has chosen to visit us so early in his
time as Deputy Rural Development Minister underscores the
strong support that we have had from Ministers and the
importance of National Parks in delivering the Executive's
wider priorities for Scotland.
"The exhibition here in Ballater highlights the beauty
and diversity of the Park. But it also reflects a broader
point - that there is a strong relationship between man and
the landscape here.
"The role of the National Park is to protect and enhance
this area both for the landscape and wildlife it contains
and for the people that live in it and visit it."
The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 provided for the
first time for the establishment of National Parks in
Scotland.
Scotland's two National Parks are Loch Lomond
and Trossachs, established in July 2002,
and Cairngorms, established in March 2003.
The Cairngorms National Park is the largest Park in the
UK (1,466 square miles) and one of the biggest in
Europe.
The funding announced today will allow the National
Parks to fulfill their statutory aims to:
- conserve and enhance the natural and cultural
heritage of the area
- promote sustainable use of the natural resources of
the area
- promote understanding and enjoyment (including
enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special
qualities of the area by the public
- and promote sustainable economic and social
development of the area's communities
Both Park authorities have a range of functions. For
example, the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Authority is the planning authority for the area while the
Cairngorms National Park Authority has powers to call in
planning applications which may be of significance to the
aims of the Park.
Both Park authorities have bye-law making powers.
They also have a duty to:
- prepare a National Park Plan and
consult on its preparation
- Provide Scottish Ministers with a
corporate plan
- keep proper accounts and
accounting records
- set up Advisory Group(s) to
advise on any matter relating to a Park Authority's
functions
The funding of each of the Parks in the current year and
over the next three years is as follows :
Loch Lomond and Trossachs
2004/2005 (current year) : £6.4 million
- 2005/2006 : £6.575 million
- 2006/2007 : £6.575 million
- 2007/2008 : £6.875m
- Total over next 3 years = £20.025m
Cairngorms
- 2004/2005 (current year) : £3.55 million
- 2005/2006 : £4.3 million
- 2006/2007 : £4.3 million
- 2007/2008 : £4.5 million
- Total over next 3 years : £13.1 million
The exhibition of photography and poetry are due to go
on show ove the next two months:
- October 26-29: CNPA's offices at
Station Square, Ballater
- November 1-30: Grantown Museum,
Grantown-on-Spey
- Dec 16 - Mid January: Cairngorm
Mountain
- December 18-20: Richmond Memorial
Hall, Tomintoul
- December 27-31: Village Hall,
Boat of Garten