14 November 2002

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is disappointed and appalled at the Scottish Executive's latest proposals for a Cairngorms National Park, which threatens to leave the Park without any worthwhile and effective planning powers.

Mike Dales, the MCofS Access and Conservation Officer, said:

"This decision is astounding and demonstrates a total lack of awareness of the lessons that have been learned around the world, most notably in England and Wales, that a National Park should be a single planning authority if it is to deliver any meaningful protection and coordinated management".

The MCofS regards political interference from Deputy Finance Minister, Peter Peacock, as the main reason behind the Executive's misguided decisions. He was the Convener of Highland Council in 1998 when the Council withdrew its objection to National Parks on the basis that any National Park in Highland would leave the planning powers in the hands of the local authority.

"Peter Peacock has hijacked this process and the result is that the Cairngorms continue to be left with a depressingly low level of protection. Areas of native woodland throughout the Highland Council segment of the proposed National Park are under severe threat from housing developments and this latest decision leaves such areas in very grave danger".

"There has got to be a huge question mark over a National Park without planning powers, and whether it is any better than no National Park at all".

The MCofS is pleased to see the area of the proposed Park being increased, but believes that the area between Blair Atholl and Drumochter is of the same landscape character and quality as areas within the proposed Park boundary. The only reason for the Executive to leave this area outside the boundary is political and about denying Perth and Kinross Council a place at the boardroom table. The MCofS is strongly of the belief that local authority boundaries should not determine which mountains are protected by the National Park.

The MCofS remains committed to the principles of National Parks and believes that the Cairngorms should be granted this special status, but following the Executive's announcement we will continue to work for the inclusion of Perth and Kinross within the Park, as well as for the Park to have full planning powers.

Scottish Executive announcement (14 Nov 02)
Boundary Map

Scottish Executive announcement (29 May 02)
The draft designation order in full
Map of proposed boundaries
Report from The Herald newspaper
Report from The Scotsman newspaper
previous articles and responses
The Cairngorms Campaign website