Question reference: S5W-30142
- Asked by: Rachael Hamilton, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 22 June 2020
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Current status: Answered by Kevin Stewart on 30 June 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what safeguards are in place for statutory designations within a national park, and how these are protected under national park planning regulations.
Answer
Scottish Planning Policy (2014) sets out development considerations in and around designated sites, which all planning authorities and National Parks need to take into account in their development plans and decision making on planning applications.
National Parks are designated under the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 and have four aims; to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area; promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area; promote understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public; and to promote sustainable economic and social development of the area’s communities. Planning policy is clear that these aims should be pursued collectively, but that where is a conflict between them, then greater weight must be given to the first aim.