Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan launched
Public views are now being sought as the formal consultation phase for the fourth Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan gets under way.
The informal one secured more than 500 public responses received over the summer months, with
92 per cent recognising the need for individuals, communities, and businesses to take action to tackle climate change.
Just over half the respondents felt the park's economy would recover quickly post-Covid-19.
And 89 percent agreed that local communities have an important part to play in shaping its future.
Now the final phase for public comments on the newly published draft plan will run until December.
Over the summer, anyone with an interest was able to take part in answering a series of questions, including via a dedicated Cairngorms Views website and by using interactive mapping tools, where participants could ‘drop a pin’ where they considered an issue needed addressing and leave comments.
More than 500 responses were gathered, highlighting the public’s views on a range of topics critical to the future of the national park.
Key themes included tackling the climate emergency, improved public transport and walking/cycling routes, affordable housing, looking after the needs of the local workforce, tree planting and peatland restoration, and managing the impacts of increasing visitor numbers.
Around half of respondents were optimistic about the future, with just over a quarter (27%) pessimistic.
Xander McDade, convener of the CNPA Board, said: "We’re very pleased with the great response we’ve had so far and I would like to thank all those who have already responded their thoughts to help shape the draft plan.
"There has been a wide range of opinions expressed, but there have also been a number of recurring themes such as affordable housing, better transport and improving conservation within the Park to help combat our biodiversity crisis.
“I feel that the draft National Park Partnership Plan is probably our most ambitious to date and has been shaped not just by public sector and third sector partners, but by local businesses and the people who live and work here.
“It is vitally important that everyone who calls the national park home, or enjoys the Cairngorms for recreation or works here, gets involved in this consultation so that it reflects the future we all aspire to and is truly a park for all.”
The Scottish Government's minister for green skills, Lorna Slater, said: “Urgent action is needed to tackle the climate and nature crisis. We must work together – individuals, communities, and businesses – to deliver transformative change. National pparks are a vital part of this effort.
“I urge all who care about the people, communities and natural environment of the Cairngorms National Park to share their voices through the channels offered within the this public consultation to shape a meaningful plan for the future of the Park.”
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The formal consultation will run to December17, with responses gathered through a number of different physical events and digital platforms, including the dedicated Cairngorms Views website and interactive mapping tools.
Following that, a consultation report will be produced in the new year that sets out all the key feedback, which will inform any changes to the plan before it is approved by the board and submitted to Scottish Ministers in June 2022 for final sign off.
To find out more and to give views, visit: https://cairngormsviews.commonplace.is
