OVER 1000 online surveys have already been submitted as part of the Galloway National Park consultation.
NatureScot this week revealed that the first month of consultation has been “busy and diverse”.
More than 650 people have already attended the 14 public events and a further 15 are still to be held in the new year.
A total of 52,000 leaflets were distributed to households and businesses within the proposed area and an online information hub has 1523 subscribers viewing the proposal, surveys, maps, background resources and email updates.
Furthermore, the NatureScot National Park Reporter staff have so far attended 38 meetings with people in the area, and issued over 1100 email responses to enquiries.
The consultation was launched on 7 November and is the statutory opportunity for anyone with an interest in the Scottish Government proposal to consider and discuss the shape and options for a potential new park in Galloway, parts of Dumfries and East and South Ayrshire. Anyone completing a consultation survey is asked whether they support or oppose the idea of a new National Park in Galloway.
The statutory consultation runs until February 14 2025 and then Scottish ministers will decide whether it should go ahead.
NatureScot’s South operations manager Stuart Graham said: “We’ve been listening to people from all walks of life and from all perspectives in this busy public consultation, as we ensure that those living and working in the area have the opportunity to discuss the issues, consider the content of the proposal for a national park in Galloway, and decide whether they support it or not, or have alternatives they wish to suggest.
“With two months of the consultation left, we want everyone to get involved, take the time to read the proposal, and have their say.”
