Is a National Park in Galloway a good idea?

Is a National Park centred around the Galloway Forest a good idea?

The campaign to get a new national park in Galloway has made its third attempt to get recognised status to a third national park.

I am in two minds about the idea of a national park for Galloway. In an attempt to figure out for myself, I am going to list all the reasons that it is a good idea and all the reasons it is a bad idea.

Reasons to have a National Park

• It would 'put Galloway on the map'
• A National Park would be a draw for tourists
• It would offer the chance for the region to protect its natural assets
• It is a truly beautiful region of the country and deserves recognition.

Reasons not to have a National Park

• The A75 could not cope with the extra traffic.
• There is no plan for extra housing, as incoming buy-to-let holiday homes will quickly take up the market.
• It will make much of the park area undevelopable for needed infrastructure, even if it is sustainable and in keeping with outdated and onerous planning laws.
• Over time, towns like Newton Stewart, Wigton etc could become ghost towns only populated by occasional weekenders and holidaymakers in peak season.

Personally, I am very much suspect the National Park for Galloway will be beneficial for landowners and holiday let owners but overall will have poor outcomes for most locals.

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