COUNCILLORS have been accused of ignoring the voice of the local community over the controversial Galloway National Park fiasco.
The campaign group, No Galloway National Park, this week hit out following the debate at last week’s full Dumfries and Galloway Council meeting over the failed national park proposals.
Denise Brownlee, of No Galloway National Park, reminded elected members that the decision to scrap the national park proposals was welcomed by a majority of people who took part in the consultation.
She said: “The announcement that the Scottish Government decided not to proceed with the designation of a new National Park in South West Scotland was welcomed by at least 57 percent of the local community who responded to the consultation, opposing this proposal, whilst only 40 percent indicated support.
“This demonstrates that government listened to the view of the local community on this issue, unlike some local Councillors who appear to have forgotten their responsibility to represent their constituents wishes.
“In a motion regarding the decision, presented to Dumfries and Galloway Council on June 26, Labour councillors rehashed numerous myths and misinformation about the proposal and process.
“This includes the £10 million funding figure cited by pro park campaigners which never appeared in any official proposal. The only statement made was that the budget would be smaller than that for either of the existing parks.
“Whilst the aim to secure a commitment to similar levels of government investment in the area is likely to receive universal support, the bitter reiteration of misinformation about the park proposal and process is unlikely to illicit a positive response.”
The group also has concerns about plans to create an”undefined and untested” trust, and argued that this “ignored lessons from the consultation about the need to fully engage the community in the development of proposals”.
They supported Councillor Pauline Drysdale’s comments at last week’s council meeting, who stated: “With Galloway’s fragile infrastructure our residents do not want to experience the same mistakes and lack of proper investment made elsewhere. The people of Galloway, and indeed across the whole of D&G need listened to and deserve better.”
