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A paper discussing some governance options that could be applied to future National Parks in Scotland.
REPORT 02 / AUGUST 2015
Future National Parks in ScotlandPossible Governance Models
Author : Graham C. Barrow BA(Hons) MSc MPhil for the Scottish Campaign for National Parks (SCNP) and the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS).
APRS
1.1 ThisshortsummarypaperhasbeenpreparedbyGrahamBarrowfortheScottishCampaignforNationalParks(SCNP)andtheAssociationfortheProtectionofRuralScotland(APRS)andisthesecondinaseriesofpapersbeingpublishedbySCNP/APRSfollowingtheproductionof‘UnfinishedBusiness–ANationalParksStrategyforScotland’in2013.
1.2 AfteradebateandnegotiationspanningmanydecadestwogeographicallylargeNationalParkswereestablishedinScotlandundertheNationalParks(Scotland)Act2000.ThesewereforLochLomondandtheTrossachsandfortheCairngorms.TheseparksandtheirgovernancesystemsarelargelysimilartothoseoftheNationalParksestablishedinEnglandandWalesthroughthe1949NationalParksandAccesstotheCountrysideAct,althoughourScottishNationalParkshavesomesignificantdifferences,particularlywithregardtotheirroleinsupportinglocalcommunitiesandhelpingruraleconomicdevelopment.
1.3 ThispaperreviewssomedifferentmanagementmodelsthatcouldbeappliedtonewNationalParksofdifferentscalesandcharacteristicsthatmaybeestablishedinScotlandinthefuture.TherelativelycomplexandcostlyarrangementsthatapplyinthetwoexistingNationalParksmaynotnecessarilyberequiredwhenconsideringsmallerorlesspopulatedareasasfutureNationalParks.
1.4 TheNationalParks(Scotland)Act2000definestheaimsofaNationalParkinScotlandas:
• Toconserveandenhancethenaturaland culturalheritageofthearea
• Topromotesustainableuseofthenatural resources
• Topromoteunderstandingandenjoymentof thespecialqualitiesoftheareabythepublic, and
• Topromotesustainableeconomicandsocial developmentofthearea’scommunities.
1.5 VariousschedulesattachedtotheNationalParks(Scotland)Act2000describethelegalconstitution,generalpowers,functions,staff,propertyandliabilitiesofNationalParkAuthorities.Theseprovidesignificantscopeforavarietyofapproachesandflexibilitytobeapplieddependingonthecharacterandneedsoftheareainquestion.
1.6 OfparticularnotearethepotentialalternativeapproachestotheplanninganddevelopmentcontrolfunctionsofanewNationalParkAuthority.TherelevantsectionoftheActstatesthatanewNationalParkdesignationordermaymakeprovisionforaparkauthority:
• TobethefullplanningauthorityfortheNational Park
• TobetheplanningauthorityfortheNational Park,butonlywithregardtotheproductionof adevelopmentplan,or
• Tohavewhateverplanningfunctionsthe designationordermayspecify.
1.7 SignificantemphasisisoftengiventotheplanningfunctionsofNationalParksintheUK,possiblyattimesdivertingattentionfromthepositiveandvaluableworkthatNationalParkscancarryoutinhabitatandlandscapeenhancement,publicaccessimprovements,interpretationandeducation,localsustainablebusinessdevelopment,trainingandtourismdevelopmentandmarketing.ButthecontrolofinappropriatedevelopmentinNationalParksisclearlyfundamentaltotheirlong-termwellbeing.
1.8 TheSCNP/APRS‘UnfinishedBusinessReport’suggestssevenareasthatshouldbeconsideredforfutureNationalParkdesignation(seemap–page03)andthesevarysignificantlyinsizeandcharacterwithmostnotbeingofthescaleorcomplexityoftheexistingtwoNationalParksinScotland.Considerationmustthereforebegiventoadoptinggovernancearrangementsappropriatetoeachparticularcircumstance.
1.Introduction
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1.9 InEnglandandWalesthereare,inadditiontoNationalParks,manyareasofnationallyimportantlandscapethathavebeendesignatedasAreasofOutstandingNaturalBeauty(AONB).ThesearegenerallysmallerthantheNationalParksandwerenotatthetimeofdesignationseenashavingthesamepotentialforoutdoorrecreation.Toensuretheirpropercare,however,theyhavesincetheCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000enjoyedthebenefitsofmanagementcommittees,withasmallstaffanddedicatedbudgets.Theyhaveproducedandimplementedmanagementplans,althoughplanninganddevelopmentcontrolmattershaveremainedwiththelocalauthorities.ThemostrecentlydesignatedNationalParkinEngland,theSouthDowns,haditsoriginsinaconsortiumofsuchAONBcommittees.
1.10 InScotland40NationalScenicAreasweredesignatedin1980onabroadlysimilarbasistoAONBs,andagainwithoutanexplicitrecreationalpurpose.DespiterecommendationsmadeinareportbySNHin1998,however,theyhaveneverbeengivenequivalentmanagementstructuresorfunding(seesection4).
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Isle of Raasay
National Parks recommended by SCNP and APRS 2013
MapreproducedbypermissionofOrdnanceSurvey,licencenumber100053751.*ForlayoutpurposestheShetlandIslandsarenotshowninthecorrectgeographicalposition.
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2.1 WhenconsideringtheestablishmentofthefirstNationalParksinScotlandSNHcommissionedareportin1998–ModelsofNationalParksbyBishop,GreenandPhillips(publishedasSNHReviewNumber105).ThisextensivereportreviewedthemanagementarrangementsforNationalParksinanumberofcountries,includingvariousmodelsbeingappliedinEnglandandWalesaswellasineightother,mainlyEuropeancountries.
2.2 ThereportidentifiedfourmainmethodsusedtoprotectthelandofNationalParks:
1. Publicownershipoftheland–suchasapplies inIreland,theNetherlandsandSwedenaswell
asinNorthAmerica
2. Legallyenforceablelistsofprohibitedactions– asappliesinAustria,FranceandItaly(andalso onUKNationalNatureReservesandSSSIs)
3. Regulationthroughlanduseplanning–as appliesintheUKNationalParks
4. Positivemanagementworks(althoughitis unclearfromtheconsultants’reportwherethis applies).
2.3 Itisuniversallyregardedasapre-requisiteofanyeffectiveNationalParkfortheretobeacomprehensiveandprofessionallypreparedNationalParkPlanandaNationalParkManagementPlan.
2.4 TheexistingtwoNationalParksinScotlandoperateagovernancemodelstronglyinfluencedbytheirEnglishandWelshpredecessors,withLochLomondandtheTrossachsNationalParkhavingfulllanduseplanninganddevelopmentcontrolpowersandwiththeCairngormsNPhavingplanmakingpowers,withapowerofcall-infromthelocalauthorityinrelationtoplanningapplications.BothNationalParkshaveaboardconsistingofamixtureoflocalelectedmembers(somedirectlyelectedtotheboardsoftheparks)andofthoseappointedbycentralgovernment.Thelocallyelectedmembersarerequirednotleasttosatisfytheneedfordemocraticaccountabilityfordecisionsundertheplanninglegislation.
2.5 Asthe NationalParkshavesomesignificantlysizedsettlementswithinthem,suchasAviemoreandGrantownonSpeyintheCairngormsandBallochandCallanderinLochLomondandtheTrossachs,theparkplanningcommitteeshavetodealwithasignificantandvariednumberofplanningapplications.Remoterareaswithonlysmall settlementsandfarmsandextensivesemi-naturalvegetationwouldhavefarfewerplanningapplications–althoughsomedevelopmentscouldstillbepotentiallydamagingtothelandscapeortonaturalhabitats.
2.6 In1999SNHpublishedNationalParksforScotland–itsadvicetotheScottishGovernmentregardingNationalParks–andrecommendedtheestablishmentofthefirsttwoparksandthefurtherconsiderationofotherNationalParks.Whenconsideringmanagementmodelsthereportstates:
“ToachievetheproposedpurposesofNationalParks,SNHisconvincedoftheneedtoestablishanewNationalParkBodyforeacharea.Atoneextremesuchabodycouldhaveextensiveexecutivepowerstransferredtoitfromnationalandlocalbodies–ineffecttobecomeanewformofpublicauthoritywithalargestaffandmanyfunctions.Attheotherextreme,itcouldhavelimiteddirectfunctionsandwouldconcentrateonintegratingandco-ordinatingtheeffortsofothersthroughtheNationalParkPlan.”
2.GovernancemodelsappropriatefornewScottishNationalParks
2.7 ThisclearlyindicatesthatSNHconsideredatthattimethatdifferentgovernanceandmanagementmodelsshouldbeconsideredfordifferenttypesofNationalParkarea.LaterinthereportSNHstatedthatanynewNationalParkbodyshouldhavepowersinthefieldsof:
• Conservationandenhancementofthenaturalandculturalheritage
• Enjoymentandunderstandingofthenatural andculturalheritage
• Townandcountryplanning,and
• Landandwatermanagement.
2.8 SNHsuggestedthatoneoptioncouldbeasharingofplanningpowerswiththeexistinglocalauthoritiesandstatedthat:
“EngagementbytheNationalParkBodyinallaspectsofplanningisunlikelytobenecessarytoachievetheobjectivesoftheNationalParkPlan.WethereforeremainunconvincedthattheNationalParkBodyneedsnecessarilytobetheplanningauthoritywiththefullestrangeofdevelopmentplanning,controlandenforcementpowers,asisthecaseinEnglandandWales.Instead,weproposeaverysignificantroletortheNationalParkBodywhichinvolvesasharingofplanningfunctionswith
localauthorities”.
2.9 InthelightofexperienceinthetwoexistingScottishNationalParks,SCNP/APRSseethisstatementasneedingsomequalification.RecenthistoryhasshownacrosstheUKthatlargeandcomplexNationalParksdorequirefullplanningpowerstoeffectivelyprotectthem.
2.10 ThesharingofplanningpowersbetweentheCairngormsNationalParkAuthorityanditsfiveconstituentlocalplanningauthoritiesoverthelast12yearshasproveningeneraltobeconfusingandunhelpfulforallinvolved,includinglocalresidents,developers,NGOs,thelocalauthorities,theParkboardandotherpublicbodies.Smaller,lesspopulatedareasthataredesignatedasNationalParksinthefuturemay,however,notnecessarilyneedthisapproachtotheirplanning.
2.11 WhenconsideringthegovernanceofproposedNationalParksSNHstatedthat:
ThebalanceofrepresentationontheNationalParkBoardwillbeequallycrucialtothesuccessorfailureofaNationalPark.WeconsiderthatthemainoptionsforrepresentationinthegoverningstructureofeachNationalParkBodyare:
• Localgovernmentcouncillorsorappointees frombothwithinandoutwiththeNationalParkarea
• Communitycouncillorsorspeciallyelected communityrepresentatives
• Selectednationalappointees.
2.12 RegardingmembershipofanynewNationalParkAuthority,Schedule1oftheNationalParks(Scotland)Act2000requiresthat:
• Thenumberofmembersmustnotexceed25 (butnominimumsizeisgiven)
• Locallyelectedmembersmustcompriseat leastonefifthofthetotalnumberofmembers
• TheremainingmembersareappointedbytheScottishMinisters,ofwhichhalfarenominatedbylocalauthoritiespartofwhoseareaiswithintheNationalPark.
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2.13 Table1showsthecurrentmembershipofthetwoexistingNPauthorities.Italsosetsout,forillustrativepurposesonly,threesmalleroptionswhichalsocomplywiththeAct,butwhichmightbemoreappropriateforfutureNPswithsmallerpopulationsorareasandwhichonlycoverpartsofoneortwolocalauthorityareas.Othercompliantoptionsarealsopossible.
2.14 IndecidingonthebestgovernancemodelforfutureNationalParksinScotlandtherelativeimportanceofdevelopmentpressures,landandwatermanagement,recreationaluseandecologicallandusemanagementshouldbetakenintoaccount.Justhowprominenteachofthesefactorsislikelytobeintheoverallprogrammeofactionneededtoachieveparkpurposeswillbeakeydeterminantofthegovernancemodelthatshouldbeadopted.
2.15 IfanewNationalParkwasorientatedmoretowardsinfluencingthebehaviourofprivatelandownersandthealignmentoftheprogrammesandexpenditureofrelevantpublicagencies(andnotsomuchtowardstheexerciseofstatutoryplanningpowers)thenaratherdifferentmixofprofessionalbackgroundsandinterestswouldbeappropriateamongsttheboardmembersthanappliesintheexistingNationalParks.
2.16 TheissuesinScotlandregardingthegovernanceofNationalParksalsorelatetoanumberofkeypointswhichcanbesummarisedas:
• Theneedtobalancelocalandnationalinterests–theissueofdemocraticaccountabilityatlocaland nationallevel
• Theplanninganddevelopmentissuesandwhopreparestheplansforanareaandwhodecides whatdevelopmentscanbepermitted
• Influencinglandmanagementactivitiestoprotectandenhancethehabitatandlandscape
• HowandwhopromotestheNationalParkforrecreationandtourismandsustainableeconomic development
• HowtheNationalParkcancontributetodesirablelandusethatreflectsthenationalLandUseStrategy
• Theleveloffinancialresourcesthatcanbejustifiedandappliedtotheplanningandmanagementofthearea.
2.17 ItisvitalthatNationalParksshouldasakeymatterofprinciplegiveprioritytoboththenationalinterestandtolong-termthinkingovershort-termismandpotentiallynarrowerlocalinterests.Werecognisethatthiscanofcourseleadtotensionsovercertainissuesandthatiswhyarobustandopengovernancemodelisimportant.
2.18 Thefollowingtable,table2,summarisestherangeofmanagementmodelsthatcouldbeappliedtodifferentsizesandcomplexitiesoffutureNationalParksinScotland.
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MemberType CNPA LLTNPA Option1 Option2 Option3 Locallyelected 5 5 3 3 2
Appointedby 7 6 5 4 3localauthorities
Appointedby 7 6 5 4 3ScottishMinisters TotalMembers 19 17 13 11 8
Table1
Table2isofferedtostimulatethinkingabouttherangeoftypesandscalesofNationalParkandtheirpotentialgovernancemodels.ItisnotaproposedclassificationforfutureNationalParks.
2.19 Table2suggestsfourbroadtypesandscalesofgovernanceandparkstaffing,butallcombinelocalviewswithsomenationallyappointedexpertsonamanagementboard/committee.SCNP/APRSstronglybelievethatthisnationalviewofandexpertiseonhowthelandshouldbemanagedandwhatisappropriatesustainabledevelopmentinthenationalinterestisvitalinallgovernancemodelsforNationalParks.ThispointmustbefullycomprehendedbyallthoseassociatedwiththemanagementofourNationalParksandwiththeirfutureprotectionandsustainabledevelopment.
GOVERNANCEFORNATIONALPARKSINSCOTLAND
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Table2
NB.Notallofthepostsreferredtoincolumn7(minimumnumberofstaffrequired)needbenewjobsassomecouldbefilledbysecondmentsortransfersfromexistingbodies.
CharacterofArea ResidentPopulation AreaRange: Exampleofpotential Emphasisofroleof Possible PossibleMinimumrange sqkms NationalPark NationalParkbody Park Numberofstaff
Governance requiredforPark Model
1.Areawithonly 0–100 200–500 GlenAffric Ecologicaland ParkCommittee– 6–12isolatedbuildings landscapemanagement possiblyaandhamlets. andenhancement. sub-committee Publicaccessand oftheLocalAuthority management withspecialist Interpretation membersappointed. andEducation. Landuseissues.
2.Areawithhamlets 50–250 400–1000 Cheviots Landscapeand ParkBoard– 12–20andsmallvillages ecological withspecialistand/orscattered enhancement. memberssettlement. Accessand appointed Interpretation. nationally. Adviceto LocalAuthority onplanning.
3.Areawithsmall 250–5000 750–1500 CoastalandMarine Adviceto ParkBoard– 15–30townsandvillages NationalPark LocalAuthority withspecialistand/orscattered (Mull,Coll, onplanning memberssettlement. Tireeetc…) matters. appointed Landscape nationally. enhancement. Preparationof Accessand ParkPlan. Interpretation. Tourismdevelopment.
4.Extensivearea 5000+ 1500+ Galloway Planningand PlanningAuthority 30+witharange DevelopmentControl. Preparationofofsettlement Accessandtourism ParkPlan.sizes. matters. FullPark Visitormanagement. Committeewith Sustainableeconomic localandnational development. members.
SuchaPlancoulddealmorethoroughlywithecologicalandlandscapemanagementmattersforthewildertypesofNationalPark(similartoaNationalNatureReserveManagementPlan)
St Cyrus National Nature Reserve
2.20 AlsoitisimportantthataNationalParkPlanispreparedandapprovedbothatlocalandnationallevelforeveryNationalPark.SuchaPlancoulddealmorethoroughlywithecologicalandlandscapemanagementmattersforthewildertypesofNationalPark(similartoaNationalNatureReserveManagementPlan)butcoverlanduseplanningmattersforaparkwithsignificanthumanhabitationandpotentialdevelopmentpressures.
2.21 ThefourbroadcategoriesofNationalParkgovernancesuggestedintable2are:
1. ANationalParkManagementCommitteewithrepresentativesofthepublic,privateandvoluntarylandownersoftheareawhoprepareamanagementplanthatisadoptedbytheLocalAuthorityandbyallthestatutoryagenciesconcernedwithlandmanagement.ThiscouldapplytoaTypeANationalParkintable2.
2. ANationalParkCommittee,whichcouldbeasub-committeeoftheLocalAuthoritybutchairedbyanappointedexpert.Itwouldhavesomelocalrepresentativesandsomeappointedexperts.AppropriateforTypeBNationalParks.
3. ANationalParkBoardwithacombinationoflocalelectedmembersandmembersappointednationally.ItcouldbeseparatefromtheLocalPlanningAuthoritywithlocalelectedmembersandadditionalappointedmembers.AppropriateforTypeCNationalParksin
table2.
4. APlanningAuthorityNationalParkBoardwhichwouldbeaseparateplanningauthorityandhavelocalelectedmembersandnationallyappointedmembers.TheNationalParkPlantheyapprovedwouldalsobetheplanninganddevelopmentcontroldocumentfortheNationalPark.ThiswouldapplyinTypeDNationalParksasintable2,aswiththetwoexistingNationalParksinScotland.
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3.1 NationalScenicAreas(NSAs)weredesignatedbothtoidentifythefinestsceneryofthetypeconsideredmostcharacteristicofScotlandandtoensuretheirprotectionfrominappropriatedevelopment.Thislimitedmeasureofprotectionisachievedthroughthelocalauthorityplanningsystem.ScottishNaturalHeritagehassurveyedalltheNSAsandproducedanup-to-datelistofthespecialqualitiesthatjustifyeacharea’sdesignationasScotland’sfinestlandscapes.(seeTheSpecialQualitiesofNationalScenicAreas,2010).
3.2 ApartfromthoseNSAssubsequentlyincludedwithintheboundariesofthetwoNationalParks,NationalScenicAreashaveneverreceivedsignificantpublicityorpublicrecognitionandhavenotgenerallybeenthesubjectofmanagementplansorstaffappointedtomanageorenhancethem.AlthoughtheLocalAuthoritieswereencouragedtopreparemanagementstrategiesfortheirNSAs,onlythreehavebeenpreparedtodate–allinDumfriesandGalloway.ThisisinstarkcontrasttotheAONBsinEnglandWalesandNorthernIreland–allofwhichhaveapprovedmanagementplansandstafftohelpimplementthem.
3.3 InarecentreviewofallprotectedareadesignationsintheUKtheIUCNNationalCommitteefortheUKconcludedthattheNationalScenicAreasinScotlanddidnotmeetthecriteriaforinclusioninanyoftheIUCNcategoriesforprotectedareas.Theystatedthat“evidence that the effectiveness of protection of nature in planning policy is insufficient”.ThiscontrastsstarklywithitsconclusionthatAONBsinEnglandandWalesshouldcontinuetoberecognisedasCategoryVProtectedLandscapes.(PuttingNatureontheMap,2014).
3.4 NSAsinScotlanddonothaveapurposeofpromotingaccessandrecreationorsustainableruraldevelopmentandassuchhavelimitedvalueinassistingthedevelopmentoftheirareas.Neitherhavetheybeenthesubjectofanysubstantiallandscapeorhabitatimprovementefforts(excepttosomeextentinthethreeDumfriesandGallowayNSAs).
3.4 WhilstSCNP/APRSrecognisethevalueoftheextradevelopmentcontrolvigilancethatNSAsprovide,wefeelthattosomeextenttheirexistencehasdeflectedthinkingfromthedesignationoffurtherNationalParksinScotland.WefeelthereforethatthereisaneedforathoroughreviewofhowScotlandprotectsandsustainablyutilisesitsfinestlandscapeswhichwouldtakeintoaccountboththeexistingNationalParks,theNSAsandtheideasandproposalswithinthe‘UnfinishedBusiness–ANationalParksStrategyforScotland’report.
3.5 WenotethatinWalesthereviewoftheirprotectedlandscapeshasrecently(2015)addressedtheissueofthetitleofboththeirNationalParksandAreasofOutstandingNaturalBeautyandhasconcludedthatbothshouldcontinuetoberecognisedasnationallyimportantandshouldbegivenasimilarsetofobjectives.
3.NationalScenicAreas
4.1 ThestaffinglevelsandassociatedcostsforanynewNationalParkscouldbeexpectedtovaryconsiderablywiththeirsize,character,functionsandprecisestyleofoperation.IntheAppendixtothisreportweseektoillustratethisbyreferencetofourexistingprotectedlandscapes,twoinEngland,oneinFranceandonestraddling
theborderbetweenWalesandEngland. Thesecasestudiesshowthatthestaffnumbers
forevenalargeAONBinnorthernEnglandarenomorethan16andthatthesmallestEnglishNationalParkemploysfewerthan50staff.
4.2 ThecostofrunningNationalParksofcomparablescaleandcomplexityinScotlandcouldthusbeconsiderablylowerthanthoseassociatedwiththetwoexistingParks–possiblyintherangeof£1.5to3mperannum.GiventhevalueoftheeconomicactivitythatParkshaveshownthemselvescapableofgenerating(seeourseparatereportonthesocio-economicbenefitsofNationalParks),thiscanbeseenasanexcellentinvestment.
4.Costs
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4.3 Werecogniseneverthelessthatinthepresentclimateoffinancialausterityanyadditionalpublicspendingwillbedifficulttosecure.Toourminds,however,thisshouldnotforanumberofreasonsprecludeinitiatingatthisstageaprocessdesignedtoaddtoScotland’scurrentlyverysmallnumberofNationalParks.Thesearethat:
1. NationalParksinevitablytakesometimetoidentify,designateandestablish
2. ExperienceelsewheredemonstratesthecapacityofNationalParkstogeneratefundingfromsourcesotherthanmainstreamgovernmentprogrammes,especiallyforcapitalandprojectworks;and
3. TherearepotentialwaysinwhichthecostsofoperatingamorecomprehensivenetworkofNationalParkscouldbecontainedbypoolingresources.
Weexaminethislastpossibilityinthenextsection ofthispaper.
Loch Lomond
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5.1 IntheSCNP/APRSreport‘UnfinishedBusiness–ANationalParksStrategyforScotland’wesuggestthataNationalParksServiceforScotlandshouldbeconsidered.ThoughradicalinaUKcontext,suchastepwouldbefarfromunprecedented.SuccessfulparkserviceshavelongoperatedateitheranationalorregionalscaleinanumberofothercountriessuchastheUSA,Canada,Norway,NewZealandandvariousstatesinAustralia.
5.2 InScotlandsuchabodycouldemploythestaffeitherforalltheNationalParks,buildingupontheco-operationthatalreadyexistsincertainareasofactivitybetweenthetwoexistingParks,orforanumberofthesmallerNationalParks.ThiswouldoffertheprospectofbothloweroverheadsandacommonlyavailablesourceofspecialistexpertisewhichindividualParksmightnotbeabletojustifyorafford.ThiscouldbemadeavailablenotjusttotheNationalParksthemselvesbuttoanyothernationallyprotectedlandscapes,suchasthoseNationalScenicAreasthathadnotbeensubsumedintoNationalParks.
5.3 TheroleofaScottishNationalParksServicewouldbetoserveandsupporttheleadauthorityforeachoftheindividualParks,nottodirectthemasiftheywereasingle,nationalentity.Inparticularitwouldbevitaltoensurethattheresponsibilityfordecision-makingonplanningmattersremainedwithaclearlyidentifiable,locallyaccountableforum.ANationalParksServicecouldbeanindependentbodyoralternativelycouldbeattachedtoanexistingorganisation,withScottishNaturalHeritagebeingtheobviouscandidate.
5.ANationalParks ServiceforScotland
Volunteer Information Assistants Canyon Rim Visitor Centre – USA
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6.1 ThemanylandscapesacrossScotlandthatwouldonthestrengthoftheirqualityjustifydesignationasNationalParksvarywidelyinextentandcharacter.Demographically,someareverysparselypopulated,somecontainsizeablesettlements.Somestraddlecurrentadministrativeboundaries;othersliewhollywithintheterritoryofasinglelocalauthority.If,aswebelieve,furtherNationalParksshouldbeestablishedinScotlandforthefullrangeofenvironmental,socialandeconomicbenefitsthattheycanbring,theirgovernancearrangementsshouldunquestionablyreflectthisdiversityofcircumstances.FortunatelythosewhocraftedScotland’snationalparklegislationrecognisedthisandtheNationalParks(Scotland)Actallowsforthefunctions,powersandgovernanceregimesforindividualparkstobegearedtolocalconditions.
6.2 Thispaperseekstoillustratetherangeofgovernanceoptionsthatmightbejudgedappropriateacrossthismultiplicityofcircumstances.Theunderlyingprincipleisthatofadequateaccountabilityforthefunctionsdischarged–bothtolocalpeopleandtothenationasawhole.Anothermajorconsiderationiscost:itisvital,especiallyinthecurrentandforeseeablefinancialcontext,tokeepoverheadstotheminimumcompatiblewitheffectiveoperationandtransparent,democraticcontrol.ThecasestudiespresentedfromelsewhereintheUKandbeyondaredesignedtoindicatethescaleofexpenditurethatmightbeinvolvedinrunningNationalParksinthesortsofareashighlightedascandidatesfordesignationinour‘UnfinishedBusiness’report.
6.3 Theideasandinformationpresentedareintendedtostimulateandfeeddiscussionnationallyaboutthecosts,practicalitiesandimplicationsofafurtherprogrammeofnationalparkdesignation.Evenmoreimportantly,wehopethattheywillhelpindividualsandcommunitiesinpartsofthecountrywherethereisinterestinthepossibilityofNationalParkdesignationtoexploretheissuefurtherandtodeveloptheirownthoughtsandproposals.
6.Conclusions
Some experience from elsewhereNORTHPENNINESAONBPARTNERSHIP
APPENDIX
Thereare46AONBsinEnglandWalesandNorthernIreland.Designationseekstoprotectandenhancenaturalbeautywhilstrecognisingtheneedsofthelocalcommunityandeconomy.Thisincludestheprotectionofflora,faunaandgeologicalaswellaslandscapefeaturesincludingtheconservationofarchaeological,architecturalandvernacularfeaturesinthelandscape.
TheplanningandmanagementapproachineachindividualAONBcanvaryconsiderably.Overallresponsibilityofcarelieswiththerelevantlocalauthorities.However,mostAONBsfallwithinmorethanonelocalauthorityarea(city,districtand/orcounty).Toencourageconsistentpoliciesandpositivecoordination,AONBshave:
• Formedjointadvisorycommittees,jointcommittee orconservationboards.Theseinclude representativesofnotonlythedifferentlocal authorities,butalsooflandowners,farmers,residents andconservationandinformalrecreationinterests
• AppointedAONBofficersandstafftocoordinatelocal managementoperation
• PreparedastatutoryManagementPlan.
AONBs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
TheNorthPenninesAONBisoneexampleofanAONBandisdescribedbelow.
TheNorthPenninesAONBPartnershipisanallianceofstatutoryagencies,localauthoritiesandvoluntary/communityorganisationswhichcareabout,andfor,thearea.TheAONBPartnershipisthebodyresponsibleforco-ordinatingeffortstoconserveandenhancetheNorthPennines.TheworkofthePartnershipiscarriedoutthroughtheAONBStaffUnit,employedthroughitsaccountablebody,DurhamCountyCouncil.ThePartnershipmeetstwiceayear,toconsiderimportantissuesrelatedtotheconservationandenhancementofnaturalbeautyintheNorthPenninesAONBandtheGlobalGeopark.AnExecutiveGroupmeetsthreetimesayeartoprovidesupporttotheStaffUnitonoperationalmatters.ThePartnershipalsoholdsanAnnualForum.
TheworkoftheAONBPartnershipanditsStaffUnitof16ftestaffisguidedbytheNorthPenninesAONBManagementPlan2009–14.ThisstatutoryplanwasproducedbytheAONBPartnershiponbehalfofthearea’sfiveLocalAuthorities–whosedutyitistojointlyprepare.
North Pennines – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
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TheStaffUnitoperatesfourWorkingGroups:
• AccessandRecreation• SustainableTourism• HistoricEnvironmentand• TheGeoparkAdvisoryGroup.
Thesegroupsmeetthreeorfourtimesayear,theirpurposebeingtosupportprojectdevelopmentandtheimplementationoftheAONBManagementPlan.Theyallhave‘TermsofReference’andareanimportantpartoftheAONBPartnershipstructure.
TheAnnualForumoftheAONBPartnershipisdesignedtocommunicatetothewidercommunityissuesimportanttotheconservationandenhancementofthenaturalbeautyoftheNorthPennines.SpecificallyitisanopportunitytocommunicatetheactivitiesoftheAONBPartnershipanditsStaffUnit.Itisalsoamechanismtoreceivethethoughts,guidanceandadvicefromthewidercommunity.Abroadrangeoforganisationsandindividualsareinvitede.g.ParishCouncils,theAONBPartnershipanditsfourWorkingGroups,communitygroups,partneragencies,LocalAuthorities,MPsetc.
TheAONBPartnershipincludesrepresentativesfromthefollowingorganisations:
TheChairoftheAONBPartnershipisanelectedmemberfromDurhamCountyCouncilandtheViceChairisanelectedmemberfromNorthumberlandCountyCouncil.
• CarlisleCityCouncil• CumbriaCountyCouncil• DurhamCountyCouncil• EdenDistrictCouncil• NorthumberlandCountyCouncil• NaturalEngland• CouncilfortheProtectionofRuralEngland• NorthumberlandAssociationofLocalCouncils• CountyDurhamAssociationofLocalCouncils• EnglishHeritage• ForestryCommission• FriendsoftheNorthPennines• MoorlandAssociation• CountryLandandBusinessAssociation• NationalFarmers’Union• BritishGeologicalSurvey
APPENDIX
• RSPB• VisitCountyDurham• NorthumberlandTourism• DurhamWildlifeTrust• NorthumberlandWildlifeTrust• CumbriaWildlifeTrust• CumbriaAssociationofLocalCouncils• CumbriaTourism
PlusthechairsoftheAccess&RecreationWorkingGroup,theHistoricEnvironmentWorkingGroup,theGeoparkAdvisoryGroupandtheTourismWorkingGroupIn2013/14theexpenditurebudgetwas£1.73millionwithsome£882,000beingstaffcosts(16ftestaff).Themainsourcesofincomewere£329,000fromDEFRA,£87,500fromthelocalauthoritiesplussignificantgrantsof£345,000fromtheHeritageLotteryFund,£87,000fromNaturalEngland,£50,000fromtheEnvironmentAgencyand£13,000fromtheEuropeanLeonardoFund.
Thereare45RegionalNaturalParksinFrance.Theycover13%ofitsterritoryinvolving3,706communes,oversevenmillionhectaresoflandandhavemorethanthreemillioninhabitants.
ARegionalNaturalParkisaninhabitedruralarea,recognisedatnationallevelasbeingofmajorvalueintermsofheritageandlandscape,yetisfragilebothenvironmentallyandeconomically.Itisorganisedaroundafocussedsustainabledevelopmentproject,basedontheprotectionanddevelopmentoftheheritage.Theprotectionanddevelopmentofaparkisguidedbyacodeofpracticecommittingthepublicauthoritiesatbothregionalandnationallevel.
Thegoalsdescribedbylawtoguidetheactionsoftheregionalparks,inadditiontoheritageprotectionandmanagementandlanddevelopment,includeeconomicandsocialdevelopment,withtheaimofensuringqualityoflifeintheareasconcerned.Theparkspromotethegeneralpublic’scontactwithnature,inaneducationalstrategytoraiseawarenessofenvironmentalissues.Theparksalsoparticipateinresearchprogrammes,andundertakenewproceduresandmethodsforaction.
Theparkmanagementisbasedonthreeelements:• Landefficiency,basedonacharterwitharenewable twelveyearterm
• SharedauthoritybetweentheStateandtheregions
• Thewilltoconvinceratherthancompelpeopleto changetheirbehaviour,throughinformation,activities andawarenessraising.
OneexampleistheLivradois-Forez‘ParcNaturelRegional’whichislocatedintheAuvergneinsouthcentralFranceandwascreatedin1984.Theareahasundulatinghills,pasturesandforestswithlargeagricultura1plains.Theparkismadeupofseveraldistinctdistricts,eachwithitsownhistoryandtradition.Agriculture,forestryandstrongcrafttraditions,withtheirrootsdatingfromtheMiddleAges,arethebackboneofthisbeautifulNaturalRegionalPark.
LIVARDOIS-FOREZNATURALREGIONALPARK,FRANCE
APPENDIX
Regional Natural Parks in France
Some experience from elsewhere
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LIVARDOIS-FOREZNATURALREGIONALPARK,FRANCE
APPENDIX
Livardois-Forez Natural Regional Park
TheParkis303,457hectaresinareaandthereisaresidentpopulationofsome112,000livingin166communities.TheParkismanagedbyaBoardconsistingof25Mayorsfromlocalcommunities,6regionaladvisorsand12generalortechnicaladvisors.
ThePark’screationcameaboutnotonlybecauseitsresidentsrealisedthatitwasanoutstandingareawithuniquefeaturesbuttheyalsorecognisedthattheareawasrapidlydeterioratingandthoughtthatthecreationofa‘parcnaturalregional’wouldhelpwithregeneration.AnoverallcommonobjectivewasagreedandThePark’sCharterwassignedbyanofficialrepresentativeofeachparticipatingcommunityandadoptedatthetimeofthePark’sofficialcreation.ThePark’sboundariescorrespondtotheparticipatingcommunitiesboundaries.TheLivradois-ForezCharterbasicallydefinestheterritory,theconservationgoals,theeconomicdevelopmentandculturalobjectivesforaperiodof10years.Italsospecifiesthemanagementstructureandhowmucheachlevelofgovernmentwillcontributefinanciallytotheprojectmanagement.
Theannualoperatingbudgetapproximately£1.5millionwithitsrevenuescomingfromthefollowingsources:
• £40,000pafromataxpercapitapaidbythe communities
• £315,000pafromtheDepartmentalGovernment,on thebasisofapprovedprojects
• £500,000pafromtheRegionalGovernment,onthe basisofapprovedprojects
• £380,000pafromtheNationalGovernment,onthe basisofapprovedprojects.
Expenditureisconcentratedinthefollowingareas:21%forenvironmentalconservation21%fortourismdevelopment20%forculturalactivities24%forsupportingcraftsandnewbusinessesand14%forforestmanagementanddevelopment.
TheNorthumberlandNationalParkwasestablishedin1956.ItisoneofthethirteenNationalParksinEnglandandWales.TheNorthumberlandNationalParkAuthorityseekstoconserveandenhancethenaturalbeauty,wildlifeandculturalheritageoftheNorthumberlanduplands–405squaremilesofhillsandvalleysstretchingfromHadrian’sWallnorthwardstotheCheviotHillsontheborderwithScotland.Italsopromotesopportunitiesfortheunderstandingandenjoymentoftheareabythepublic.Theparkhasasmallresidentpopulationof2,200withtheparkboundaryexcludingmostofthevillageswhichsitjustoutsidetheparkbutbenefitfromitsprotectionandpromotion.
TheParkreceivesanestimated1.7millionrecreationalvisitsperannumwithavisitorspendofaround£190million.
TheNationalParkismanagedbyacommitteeconsistingof22memberswith6beingLocalAuthorityappointees,6beingSecretaryofStateappointees,fromtheParishesand10beingnationalappointmentsbytheSecretaryofState.RecentlyithasbeensuggestedthatthelocalmembersshouldbedirectlyelectedtotheNationalParkCommittee.
TheNorthumberlandNationalParkhasthesmallestbudgetofalloftheNationalParksinEnglandandWalesatalittleunder£2.8millionin2013/14.Thestaffnumberaround48withmostbasedinHexham,outsidetheparkboundary.
ThestatutorypurposesoftheNationalParkare:
• Toconserveandenhancethenaturalbeauty,wildlife andculturalheritage;and
• Topromoteopportunitiesfortheunderstandingand enjoymentofthespecialqualitiesbythepublic.
Intheinterestsofmaintainingthecloseconnectionsbetweenlocalcommunities,economiesandenvironmentalconservationEnglishNationalParkAuthoritieshaveanadditionalstatutorydutyto:
• Seektofostertheeconomicandsocialwell-beingof localcommunitieswithintheNationalPark.
TheNorthumberlandNationalParkAuthorityhasadutytoprepareaNationalParkManagementPlanastheframeworkforthedeliveryoftheNationalParkstatutorypurposesandduty.TheManagementPlanisthesinglemostimportantdocumentfortheNationalPark,settingouttheguidingprinciples,vision,objectivesandactionsformanagingtheNationalPark.
TheParkAuthorityguideandcontrolnewdevelopmentwithintheNationalParkandthisincludesnewbuildings,extensionstobuildings,mineralsandwastedevelopment,andtheuseoflandandbuildings.ThebuiltenvironmentofNorthumberlandNationalParkmakesamajorcontributiontothespecialqualityofthearea.TheBuildingDesignGuideSupplementaryPlanningDocumenthelpsensurethatnewdevelopmentreflectsthisandcontributestothearchitecturalheritageofthearea.
NORTHUMBERLANDNATIONALPARK,ENGLAND
APPENDIX
Northumberland National Park
Some experience from elsewhere
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TheWyeValleyAreaofOutstandingNaturalBeautyisaninternationallyimportantprotectedlandscapestraddlingtheborderbetweenEnglandandWales.ItisoneofthemostdramaticandsceniclandscapeareasinsouthernBritain.TheAONBdesignatedin1971coverspartsofthecountiesofGloucestershire,HerefordshireandMonmouthshire,andisrecognisedinparticularforitslimestonegorgesceneryanddensenativewoodlands,aswellasitswildlife,archaeologicalandindustrialremains.
TheAONBJointAdvisoryCommittee(JAC)comprisesofrepresentativesfromthefollowingorganisations:
Local Authorities:
• ForestofDeanDistrictCouncil(2councillors)
• GloucestershireCountyCouncil(2councillors)
• HerefordshireCouncil(4councillors)
• MonmouthshireCountyCouncil(4councillors).
Co-opted members – umbrella organisations:
• HerefordshireAssociationofLocalCouncils(HALC)
• GloucestershireAssociationofParishandTownCouncils (GAPTC)
• OneVoiceWales
• CountryLand&BusinessAssociation
• NationalFarmersUnion
• Threevoluntaryconservationsectorrepresentativesfor Gloucestershire,HerefordshireandMonmouthshire.Non-voting co-opted members:
• ArepresentativeofthelocalWildlifeTrusts
• WyeValleySociety
• RiverWyePreservationTrust
• ARecreationinterests’representative
• ATourisminterests’representative.
TheJACissupportedbyaTechnicalOfficersWorkingParty(TOWP),whichcomprisesleadofficersfromthefourlocalauthoritiesandarangeofGovernmentagencies,including:-CadwCapitalRegionTourism(Cardiff&SouthEastWales),EnglishHeritage,EnvironmentAgency,ForestryCommission,HistoricEngland,NaturalEnglandandNaturalResourcesWales.
WyEVALLEyAONB(WALESANDENGLAND)
APPENDIX
Wye Valley – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Some experience from elsewhere
TheAONBUnitisanestablishedteam,currentlywithfivefulltimecoremembersofstaff.ThelocalauthoritieshavecommissionedtheAONBPartnershiptooperateasacross-bordercoordinatingbody,engagingwithlocalcommunitiesandotherpartnerseffectivelytodevelopanddeliverbothlocalisedprojectsandAONBwideinitiatives.TheAONBUnitstaffreporttotheJACandareemployedthroughthelocalauthoritiesandworkonbehalfoftheAONBPartnershiptocarryoutthepreparationandreviewoftheManagementPlan,toadvocateitspoliciesandworkinpartnershiptodeliverarangeofactionsdescribedintheActionPlan.
ThebudgetfortheAONBin2012/13was£333,400with£56,000fromthelocalauthorities,£141,000fromDEFRA,£56,000fromtheCountrysideCouncilforWalesand£70,000fromSustainableDevelopmentFundWales.TheAONBUnithasinthepastbeensuccessfulinattractingsignificantextraexternalfundingsuchasalargeHLFLandscapePartnershipprojectof£2.8million.
Short Case Studies
APPENDIX
WyEVALLEyAONB(WALESANDENGLAND)
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Unfinished Business – A National Parks Strategy for Scotland
ScottishCampaignforNationalParksandAssociationfortheProtectionofRuralScotland(2013).
Governance of Protected Areas – From Understanding to Action
BestPracticeProtectedAreaGuidelinesSeriesNo.20.IUCN(2013).
Putting Nature on the Map
AReportandRecommendationsontheUseoftheIUCNSystemofProtectedAreaCategorisationintheUK.IUCNNationalCommittee,UnitedKingdom(2014).
SNH Map of Wild Land Areas
www.snh.gov.uk(2014).
Models of National Parks
K.Bishop,M.GreenandA.Phillips.ReporttoScottishNaturalHeritageSNHReviewNumber105(1998).
The Special Qualities of National Scenic Areas
SNHCommissionedReportNo.374(2010).
National Parks for Scotland – Advice to Government
ScottishNaturalHeritage(1999).
National Parks (Scotland) Act (2000)
ScottishParliament(2000).
The Socio-Economic Benefits of New National Parks Designations in Scotland
SCNP/APRS(2015).
National Scenic Areas – Advice to Government
ScottishNaturalHeritage(1998).
REFERENCES
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FUTURENATIONALPARKSINSCOTLANDPOSSIBLEGOVERNANCEMODELS
If you would like further information on the activities of the Scottish Campaign for National Parksplease contact :John Thomson – Secretaryemail thomsonhughes@btinternet.comor visit the website www.scnp.org.uk
GOT A QUESTION? – GET IN TOUCH
For information on the activities of theAssociation for the Protection of Rural Scotlandplease contact :John Mayhew – Directoremail info@ruralscotland.orgor visit the website www.aprs.scot
design / Stone Circle / e: info@stonecircledesign.co.ukImages / ©SNH, ©Stone Circle, ©A. Devlin.