The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Bid to thwart national park ends in failure
Protesters’ attempts to thwart the establishment of Scotland’s third national park in northern Perthshire were unsuccessful as Perth and Kinross Council formally presented their bid to the Scottish Government.
Despite objections, with concerns raised particularly by farmers and land managers, the council proceeded with its proposal after an eight-week public consultation.
Of the approximately 350 respondents, 58% voiced support for the creation of a Tay Forest National Park, covering an expansive area of nearly 3,000 square kilometres, including Aberfeldy, Comrie, Crieff, Dunkeld and Pitlochry.
But critics say national park policies – such as beaver reintroduction – conflict with the interests of local farmers and managers.
Around 60 objectors gathered at the City Chambers in Perth ahead of Wednesday’s Perth and
Kinross Council budget meeting and branded the response to the public consultation on the plan as “woeful”.
The council said it took feedback from land managers, communities, businesses and others on the Tay Forest National Park plan between October and December last year.
It said there were more than 350 responses to the Consultation Hub survey, while more than 160 people attended in-person drop-in sessions.
Around 40 land managers and 19 representatives of environmental groups took part in workshops.
Provost Xander Mcdade said: “We have listened to all the feedback we received during the consultation period and used it to help shape our vision.
“We truly believe that a Tay Forest National Park could be transformative for the local economy, environment and communities in northern Perthshire.”
Organisers of Wednesday’s protest say the number of responses amounts to a tiny proportion of the population.
The Tayside and Central Scotland Moorland Group, which includes gamekeepers and shepherds, said 78% of land managers oppose the creation of the park.
Group co-ordinator Deirdre Falconer said: “We do not believe it can be right for the bid to proceed with such little support – especially when those likely to be impacted the most are diametrically opposed.”