McGrigor Speech on National Parks

Jamie McGrigor MSP (Con) gave the following speech to the Scottish Parliament in a debate on National Parks:


I am very pleased to be able to take part in today’s debate. National Parks obviously play a large part in the life of my Highlands & Islands region through our two national parks in the Cairngorms Loch Lomond & the Trossachs.

I agree with the broad thrust of the recommendations of the National Park Review including the plans to reduce the number of members on the National Park Authorities’ Boards. One concern that I have to say has been put to me as an MSP over the years has been that some elements of the administration of the parks have been overly bureaucratic and anything that streamlines their operation and increases efficiency is to be welcomed. One constituent suggested to me that staff turnover in the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park is also an issue of concern.

I believe strongly that the future of rural Scotland- including our National Parks- depends not just on preserving our environment and sustaining existing communities and livelihoods but in allowing and indeed encouraging new development – of both businesses and housing- and the appropriate, sustainable usage of our natural resources. Some of my constituents remain concerned that our National Parks have sadly stifled development which would otherwise have been given the go-ahead and which would have boosted local economies.

As Communities & Housing Spokesman, the provision of affordable rural housing is an issue very close to my heart. One issue of concern that has been raised with me by constituents in the area of the Cairngorms National Park- and which I have spoken about in a previous debate- is the requirement on developers by the CNPA that up to 50% of new homes in a development have to be affordable. While of course we all share the aim to see more affordable housing in the National Park area, it has been put to me that this restriction is deterring developers from building at all in the National Park area and that perhaps the area is therefore missing the option of any affordable houses being built. It is basically doubling a tax which at best many see as an already inefficient method of producing affordable housing.

Constituents in the Cairngorms National Park have asked me to raise a further specific development issue, namely the proposed new community of An Camas Mòr. Outline permission was applied for in May and the applicants naturally would like a timely decision so that they might be able to start on the detail work next year. The time it takes to get planning decisions is an important issue.

The innovative An Camas Mòr masterplan is a community vision which goes back to the proposal of the Community Council in 1989 when Aviemore's affordable housing shortage problem was being discussed. It is interesting to note that housing was seen as a problem 20 years ago and since then too little has been done to improve the situation. I believe this vision has very exciting possibilities for the future.

To those who are against this type of development in the National Park, I would only say that considering the enormous size of the Cairngorm National Park, it is vital that there are sustainable and vibrant communities within the boundaries in order to ensure a nucleus for productive activity and job creation. Environmentally sound and attractive developments where people can make their homes will be infinitely superior to a situation of continued housing shortages which lead to a stifling of objectives. A development of this kind obviously offers huge opportunities for local companies and many extra jobs.

I also want to touch on some of the very good work that has taken place in our National Parks. I remain particularly interested in the work the CPNA is doing in offering training to land based businesses in the Cairngorms National Park area. This training is benefiting estates, farms, crofts, forestry, fishing, horticulture, nurseries and outdoor recreation providers in the CPNA, indeed any business that is related to the management or use of the land. Environmental courses such as deer stalking certificates, black grouse management, mole control, water margin management and dry stone wall dyking are vital in maintaining traditional skills.

Public benefit courses that have been delivered through the training programme include ones on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, Cairngorms Wildlife, Tick Control- a subject which is hugely important both health-wise and economically-& Heather Management and Catering for the Less-able Visitor. The comments received from businesses and organisations within the CNPA about the training have been positive.

In the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park a community training programme runs courses in a range of subjects including how community organisations can better access funding streams. I am also impressed by the work that Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority is doing to increase apprenticeships in the area of the park and to encourage businesses in the park to make use of the latest IT technology. I was also pleased to see the Park encouraging barn owls with some success.

Today’s debate is welcome and useful. I wish the Minister’s National Parks Strategy group success and hope that any further sensible recommendations can be implemented quickly in the interests of my constituents and Scotland as a whole.