Dear Murray
Regional Parks in Scotland
In my letter of July 2017 regarding LDP2 under Landscape Designations I stated that I would maintain strong objections to the plan if it did not contain a provision to review the case for the former AGLV areas of the Cleish Hills and Devon Gorge to be redesignated as Local Landscape Areas following their loss, as a direct result of accepting a deeply flawed consultant’s exercise on landscape designation that I attended. This remains the case!
In Relation to Regional Parks, I stated that there needs to be a commitment to engage with neighbouring local authorities on my previous request for the Ochil Hills to be considered for Regional Park status and to look at extending the Lomond Hills Regional Park to Loch Leven. I also raised the issue of Regional Parks in Scotland at the last meeting of the Council of APRS, which I am a member of. I was appraised of a May 2019 draft review (post workshop) of this issue, which I enclose. I would draw your attention to Paragraph 9.10 of the review calling for a new park in the Ochil Hills and a re-launch of an expanded Lomond Hills Regional Park to include the Loch Leven area.
I find it interesting that my letter of July 2017 is mirrored by this draft review, the content of which I have only just been made aware of. Forward Planning at Perth & Kinross Council have always resisted my calls on Regional Parks issues that affect Kinross-shire, citing budgeting constraints.
This enclosed review champions the value of Regional Parks to the country and Paragraph 10 conclusions give much food for thought. I would ask that your administration endorse this approach and you will note that I have copied this letter to forward planning officers in neighbouring authorities for their observations.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Michael Barnacle
Independent Member for Kinross-shire
Ps I will forward a final version of the review when it becomes available.
Cc Karen Reid, Chief Executive PKC
Peter Marshall, Forward Planning
Craig Walker, Fife Council
Graeme Finlay, Clackmannanshire Council
Emma Fyvie, Stirling Council
Roseanna Cunningham MSP
John Mayhew, Director of APRS
Councillors, McDade, Purves, Stewart, Robertson, Watters
Stuart Deans, Friends of the Ochil’s Chair
Eileen Thomas, Kinross-shire Civic Trust secretary