Council votes to ask Government for referendum on Galloway National Park plan

Dumfries and Galloway Council will urge the Scottish Government to hold a local referendum on plans to create Scotland’s third national park in the area following a vote by elected members.

Councillor Dougie Campbell moved a motion proposing the local authority request the referendum at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday.

He said the plan had the potential to be “the single most significant change to people’s lives” in the area in 30 years and have an impact on their lives “for decades to come”.

Mr Campbell said a consultation being held by NatureScot on the proposal had “undoubtedly divided opinion” among locals and elected members have received “copious” correspondence from residents raising concerns.

“This motion today is simply calling on the Scottish Government to hold a local referendum following conclusion of the consultation phase and prior to any ministerial decision being made,” he explained.

“The proposal for Galloway to be a national park is too big a matter to be decided on the basis of a consultation alone.”

His motion was seconded by councillor Pauline Drysdale, who said the “vast majority” of residents she had spoken to about the proposal had complained they felt the ongoing NatureScot consultation was “flawed”.

“A referendum is a clearer and fairer method of listening to our constituents with a straight yes or no.

“We live in a democracy, which is why I am seconding councillor Dougie Campbell’s motion for a local referendum.”

Councillor David Inglis proposed an amendment to counter the motion, however, arguing one of the consultation papers had already asked locals whether they supported or opposed the national park proposal.

“I think going to a referendum on this is the wrong way to go,” he said. “I think this consultation has to be followed through to the bitter end.”

His amendment was seconded by councillor Linda Dorward, who suggested the motion calling for a referendum was “putting the cart before the horse”.

“No decision has been made to establish a national park yet,” she said. “This council does not need to pre-empt a process.”

Following a short debate, Mr Campbell’s motion was passed by 24 votes to 13 with two abstentions.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon previously ruled out the idea of having a referendum on the plans when she appeared before a Holyrood committee earlier this month.

Speaking at Holyrood’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, Ms Gougeon said she favoured a consultation process over a referendum “because I think, within that, we ask people if they want a national park within that area”.

Asked directly if she was ruling out a local referendum on the plans, she replied: “Yes.”

The consultation, run by NatureScot, is due to run until February 14.

A Scottish Government spokesperson previously said: “Everyone’s views will be listened to and we will carefully consider the outcome of the consultation process before taking any further decisions.”