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PART 3
Chapter 7: Discussion and consultee recommendations
7.1. The wider context
The previous chapters summarise the views of respondents regarding the proposal for Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National Park, focusing on the key themes of:
- support for establishing a Park;
- potential benefits specific to designation;
- selection criteria;
- location and Park boundaries;
- Park Authority functions, powers and governance; and
- financial implications.
This section considers the wider context in which the proposal was developed.
During the launch of this preliminary consultation, the Minister for Environment and Rural Development emphasised that Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National Park should be a national and international showcase. This proposal is one of a series of initiatives currently being developed as part of the Executive's integrated strategy to ensure that the guiding principles of sustainable development are applied to marine and coastal related activities. In fact, this strategy itself is part of a much wider inter-departmental agenda, driven by the benefits delivered by integrated, cross-cutting policy frameworks in a range of policy areas.
Some respondents noted that designation would be an accolade for Scotland, highlighting the value placed on natural heritage. However, although the symbolism of a familiar National Park brand in the marine environment was seen to be valuable, respondents were keen to note that:
- a Coastal and Marine National Park should fit seamlessly with the work currently being taken forward by the Advisory Group on the Marine and Coastal Strategy;
- designation offers a long-term commitment to stewardship and a structure for meeting future challenges; and
- demarcation barriers across organisations and between professionals are being replaced by more effective partnership working and structures where resources can be more easily shared and local communities increasingly empowered. The changes engendered by designation may therefore create quicker decision-making, more joined-up services and improved support for the environment, and those who live and work in it.
7.2 Dealing with the specific issues raised
As summarised in Section 3.1, the views of the 10% of respondents who opposed designation of a Coastal and Marine National Park fall into four broadly related categories, namely those who:
consider the case has not yet been made for the benefits a Coastal and Marine National Park could bring, above and beyond existing policies and initiatives (20 respondents);
view a Park as an unnecessary tier of bureaucracy;
express anxiety over the impact of designation on their local businesses and community; and
require more detailed, evidenced proposals, followed by an extended, widely inclusive public consultation.
The views of those in categories 1-3 contrast with the other responses to the consultation that identify opportunities to deliver benefits, reduce bureaucracy and benefit the community and local businesses (see sections 3.1 and 4.2). Nevertheless, respondents were genuinely concerned about these issues. In particular, concerns were expressed about how a Coastal and Marine National Park would affect:
- competitiveness of local fishing and agriculture;
- regulatory structures;
- development of the area, including for recreation and renewable energy projects;
- existing infrastructure, particularly regarding the effect of increased tourism; and
- local house prices.
Scottish Ministers sought to indicate clearly that management of inshore commercial fishing activity will be led by the newly established IFGs.
As described in Section 3.3.1, other respondents noted that establishing a Coastal and Marine National Park will provide an opportunity to simplify existing regulatory arrangements.
Concerns regarding the ability of local infrastructure to support the aims of the Park were noted from 33 respondents, particularly from those located in Mull. Sections 3.2 and 6.2 describe other respondents' views on how these concerns may be addressed. Section 4.1 highlights the proposal from respondents to incorporate these concerns in the criteria for selection of the Park location. Section 5.3 outlines how respondents consider a Park Authority may be made more locally accountable.
Regarding concerns that house prices could be driven up, exacerbating rural housing problems, some respondents noted a Coastal and Marine National Park could provide the opportunity to (see Section 3.3.2):
- place the local needs of fragile communities, such as the need to improve physical infrastructure, including for transport, on a national stage.
Nevertheless, all the concerns expressed in relation to these issues will be considered carefully.
The fourth opposition view includes those who expressed concerns regarding the consultation process itself, in particular:
- the level of detail and evidence included in the consultation paper; and
- organisation and degree of local community stakeholder engagement.
Some respondents drew attention to the extended period of development taken to designate Scotland's first two terrestrial National Parks.
Scottish Ministers expressed particular interest in the views of local people, organisations and other stakeholders regarding the development of a Coastal and Marine National Park (see Section 1.3). An open, inclusive consultation on evidenced, detailed proposals would follow a decision to progress an area for designation under the statutory framework for establishing a Coastal and Marine National Park ( see Annex D). There is also a requirement for a Park Authority to conduct a detailed consultation on a proposed Park Plan. Nevertheless, Ministers will take account of the views of respondents to this consultation prior to taking decisions.
7.3 Consultee recommendations - Next steps
In light of the responses and key concerns, suggestions on the way forward were made by some respondents. There was agreement amongst 3% of respondents that further and more inclusive consultation should take place. Finally, regarding the immediate way forward, consultees' recommendations included:
- consideration of a detailed, inclusive interim consultation with which to inform Ministers' decision to progress with formal statutory processes, shortlisting 2-3 areas for which to focus evidenced proposals and develop local engagement;
- commissioning rigorous, independent economic and regulatory impact assessments;
- making more widely available evidence regarding the potential impact of designation to local business, local fishing activity, and the ability of local infrastructure to support an increase in tourism; and
- allowing for a period of reflection, enabling the proposals for a Coastal and Marine National Park to flow from the coastal initiative, emerging with the authority of wider review.
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