National Park Bill stalled by committee
6 Mar 07
Cairngorms boundaries issue should await general review of National Park next year
A Bill to change the boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park would not be the best way to manage it, according to a parliamentary committee.
The Environment and Rural Development Committee, by a five to four majority, has recommended that the Scottish Parliament should not agree to the general principles of the Cairngorms National Park Boundary Bill.
The committee agreed that a strong case had been made for the inclusion of parts of highland and eastern Perthshire within the park boundaries, as Scottish National Heritage had originally recommended.
However, the committee concluded that the measure, introduced by John Swinney MSP as a members’ bill, would not be the best way to approach a revision of the boundaries or ensure stable management of the park.
Committee convener Maureen Macmillan said: "We acknowledge the passionate arguments made by many people that this area is naturally part of the Cairngorms.
"We have a lot of sympathy with the aim of including highland and eastern Perthshire in the Cairngorms National Park. Whether the bill is the right way to achieve this is hotly disputed and the arguments are finely balanced.
"On balance, the committee has voted to recommend that this bill should be rejected.”
A review of the operation of the park is due next year and this is expected to include consideration of the boundaries. Mrs Macmillan said the committee would be urging the Executive to ensure that the review involved wide public consultation.
Mr Swinney's bill seeks to extend the boundary of the Cairngorms National Park to include the Forest of Atholl, including the community of Blair Atholl, the Beinn Udlamain mountain group to the west of the A9, and an area around the A93 including Glas Tulaichean and the Spittal of Glenshee (excluding Kirkmichael). Consequential changes in the composition of the Cairngorms National Park Authority are also proposed.