Latest news with #FinlayCarson
Daily Record
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway residents urged to back call for pause on renewable energy projects
Community councils and groups are being asked to support a bid for schemes to be temporarily put on hold until a clear national energy strategy is in place. Dumfries and Galloway residents are being urged to back a call for a pause on renewable energy developments. More than 50 community councils in the Highlands want new projects such as windfarms and battery storage schemes temporarily put on hold until a clear national energy strategy is in place. And Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson is calling on community councils and groups across the region to support their efforts. He said: ''This is exactly the kind of message we need to send from Galloway. Our region is facing an onslaught of wind farms, pylons, and battery storage proposals – often with little or no meaningful consultation. 'Local voices are being ignored, and our landscapes and livelihoods are at risk. 'They are industrial-scale developments imposed on rural areas with no regard for the cumulative impact on our environment, tourism, or quality of life. 'While we must continue to tackle climate change, we cannot do so at the expense of our rural communities, our natural environment, and our democratic processes. 'The current approach to planning right across Scotland is fragmented and unfair, and it risks undermining the very fabric of our rural way of life. 'I continue to urge the Scottish Government to listen to the voices of local people and to act now to ensure that development is both sustainable and just.' There was anger earlier this year when the Scottish Government approved the Kendoon to Tongland pylon scheme – even though a public inquiry led to the reporter recommending it is refused. The community councils want 'meaningful community consultation and respect for local democratic decisions', as well as a national planning inquiry into the cumulative impact of energy infrastructure and a pause on major applications until a clear national strategy is in place. Community councils and groups who back the plea are asked to send a short statement of support to by August 10.
Daily Record
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Campaign for emergency laws to all parts of A75 to be dualled within six years
Tory MSPs Finlay Carson and Craig Hoy want new legislation introduced to allow the Euroroute turned into a dual carriageway as quickly as possible. Emergency laws could allow parts of the A75 to be dualled within six years. Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson and Tory colleague South Scotland MSP Craig Hoy have joined forces to campaign for new legislation to have the Euroroute turned into a dual carriageway as quickly as possible. Their proposals would reduce the time it takes for an environmental impact assessment to be carried out and create infrastructure investment partnerships so that more private investment could be found for the scheme. Mr Carson said: 'As someone who has lived along the A75 my whole life, I know just how important it is and how desperately we need to see it fully dualled. 'Our emergency law would speed up the process of dualling this route and encourage more private investment into the road. 'If this road isn't finally dualled then there is a real threat of businesses taking their trade elsewhere, which would be a hammer blow for south west Scotland. 'Craig Hoy and I are determined to campaign for this vital upgrade and for full dualling. It is clear that only the Scottish Conservatives can be trusted to dual the A75 in full.' The need to upgrade the A75 was identified in the Scottish Government's second Strategic Transport Projects Review and the UK Government's Union Connectivity Review. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Last week, the UK Government announced an extra £3.45 million was being put into a feasibility study into bypassing Springholm and Crocketford, having previously allocated 'up to £5 million' to the scheme. Experts were appointed to carry out the work last year – but earlier this year Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop warned it would take two years for the study to be carried out.
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Talks planned over Scottish Government backing for Galloway after national park plans ditched
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson is due to meet Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon today. Talks over Scottish Government backing for Galloway now that plans for a national park have been ditched are due to take place today. Rurual Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon announced last week the process would not be continuing after a NatureScot consultation revealed a lack of local support for the area. Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson is due to meet Ms Gougeon today to discuss what happens now – with national park status estimated to be worth £10 million a year in Scottish Government funding. Mr Carson said: 'What we need is for the Scottish Government to stand by its financial commitment and invest in established regional bodies to deliver the outcomes that are so urgently needed. 'The Cabinet Secretary has already said that the focus must shift to delivering real investment and support for Galloway and I will be stressing in no uncertain terms that she must stay true to her word. 'I will also be asking her what specific evidence or community feedback ultimately prompted the decision not to proceed and designate Galloway as Scotland's third national park last week.' During her statement at Holyrood last week, Ms Gougeon said: 'I am grateful to all those who have put forward their views and perspectives on this during the consultation process and this government has listened carefully to all views expressed. 'What is important going forward is that we take note of the issues, concerns and opportunities that have been raised during the consultation process and that we place a renewed focus on delivering for the people of south west Scotland.'
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Mixed reaction from politicians to news Galloway will not become national park
The decision was slammed by Labour's Colin Smyth, while Tories Finlay Carson and John Cooper criticised the NatureScot consultation. There has been a mixed reaction from politicians to the news that Galloway will not become Scotland's third national park. The decision was slammed by Labour's Colin Smyth, while Tories Finlay Carson and John Cooper criticised the NatureScot consultation. The SNP's Emma Harper believed the decision showed the Scottish Government had listened to local people. Reacting to Thursday's announcement from Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon at Holyrood, South Scotland MSP Mr Smyth said: 'For too long, Galloway has been Scotland's forgotten corner – and the government made it clear it wants to tear down the 'Welcome to Dumfries and Galloway' signs and put up 'No Entry' instead. 'The Cabinet Secretary knows she could've brought forward plans for Galloway that supported farming and forestry and helped them thrive. She could have built something special. Made a change for the better. Instead, she has taken the easy way out and walked away. 'The government has failed to set out an alternative to its inaction. No plan B to fix a local economy built on low pay. No action to stop the fastest depopulation in mainland Scotland'. 'This isn't just about ditching a national park – this is about ditching Galloway's future.' The Tories were critical of the consultation process. Dumfries and Galloway MP, Mr Cooper, said: 'The consultation on a Galloway National Park was deeply flawed – it was always far too vague. 'And while I raised right at the start questions about what weighting would be given to the opinions of those living in Dumfries and Galloway compared to those outwith, I never got a satisfactory answer. 'There were attempts to portray the 'blank sheet of paper' approach of the consultation as a good thing, but it was nebulous, and led to claim and counterclaim about what a Galloway National Park might be like. 'Galloway is not like the other two parks – our hills have hill farms, not just hillwalkers – and no way should remote and distant national park bureaucrats be anywhere near decisions on some of the most productive grassland in the UK. 'Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in Dumfries and Galloway, and it's not just about farmers and stockmen – it's about the hundreds of jobs in associated businesses, from seed merchants to machinery firms, to accountants who do the books.' Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Mr Carson added: 'The government's handling of the national park selection process has been opaque, inconsistent, and dismissive of genuine local engagement. 'Communities across Galloway invested time, energy, and hope into a process which could and should have united communities, but that process was poorly communicated and ultimately felt predetermined. 'Rather than fostering trust and collaboration, the Government's approach has sown division and confusion. It has left many wondering whether rural voices are truly being heard in this parliament. 'We could have avoided months of uncertainty and frustration. We should have had an independent review of the existing parks so that lessons could be learned.' Naturecot's consultation revealed the majority of people who responded were from the area that would be covered by the national park, with 54 per cent of respondents against the idea. South Scotland MSP Emma Harper said: 'Too often the Scottish Government and its agencies are accused of not listening to the voices of the people, so I hope those accusations can be brought to a peep now that the consultation process has been shown to be open, transparent and fair, and was one of the major factors determining the Government's decision. 'Going forward we need to strike the right balance between biodiversity, the natural environment, tourism and the economic development all of our communities are striving for regardless of their views on the park itself. 'I firmly believe that whatever views each of us held on the proposals that were on the table and expressed through the consultation process, we all collectively need to work together on how we develop Galloway economically, socially, and culturally over the years and decades ahead. 'That work would require to be done regardless of whether national park status was a reality, but now the decision has been made it's more relevant and urgent than ever.'
The Herald Scotland
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Government scraps Galloway and Ayrshire national park plan
As part of the Bute House agreement which saw the SNP and the Scottish Greens form a government, it was agreed that "at least one" new national park would be created to join the Caringorms and Loch Lomond and Trossachs. After applications were invited the shortlist was narrowed down to Galloway, the Scottish Borders, Lochaber, Loch Awe and Tay Forest. Read More: The preferred option, which also took in areas of East and South Ayrshire, was proposed by the Scottish Government in July last year and further investigation and consultation ordered. NatureScot was appointed to carry out the process, holding a 14 week consultation from 7 November 2024 until 14 February 2025. Over five thousand surveys were completed and more than one thousand people attended events that were held across Galloway and South and East Ayrshire, with the respective councils also involved in the process. Ultimately 54% of respondents were in opposition to the national park with 52% in favour, with the balance 57% to 40% when including only local responses. As a result, Ms Gougeon announced that the government would not proceed with the proposal. In a statement to the Scottish Parliament she said: "Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation and consultation, the reporter has advised that, whilst it considers that the proposed area meets the conditions for a national park set out in the legislation, the proposal does not have sufficient clarity, nor has it garnered sufficient local support to proceed to the next stage of designation. "We have weighed up the arguments for and against the creation of a new National Park in the area, taking full account of the potential economic, social and environmental factors, and we have come to the conclusion not to proceed with the designation of a National Park in Galloway and Ayrshire. "I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new National Park in Galloway over many years. "Whilst we have decided not to proceed with the designation of a new National Park in Galloway and Ayrshire in light of the consultation findings and the Reporter's conclusions, I want to stress that this Government remains committed to National Parks in Scotland and their vital leadership role in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, promoting sustainable land management and supporting the economic and social development of local communities." The decision was welcomed in the chamber by Finlay Carson, the Scottish Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries. He said he had supported the idea in principle but "my support changed when the Bute House agreement saw Lorna Slater impose a top-down structure which seemed more like a Green-Nationalist park". Responding to the statement in the chamber, Colin Smyth, the Labour MSP for South Scotland, said: "For too long Galloway has been Scotland's forgotten corner. Strong words from @colinsmythmsp on Galloway and National Park being dropped👇@heraldscotland. — Rebecca McCurdy (@_RebeccaMcCurdy) May 29, 2025 "Today the government has made it clear it wants to tear down the 'welcome to Dumfries and Galloway' signs and put up 'no entry' instead. "Why is is that every idea this incompetent, useless, government touches falls apart?" Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell said: "This decision to scrap the promised National Park for Galloway is the culmination of lack of confident political leadership and the dangerous influence of powerful vested interests. 'Scotland's two current National Parks have shown just how valuable the status can be. Communities have benefited from better management of tourism and forestry, and new investment in transport and housing. 'By scrapping plans for the third National Park in Galloway, the Scottish Government has slammed the door on the economic investment and new powers this designation could bring. This is devastating news for the local community and nature. 'Scottish communities were competing against each other last year to secure a new National Park. But now, thanks to a campaign led by vested interests and misinformation, the Scottish Government is denying all of Scotland the opportunity to benefit from a new National Park. 'Many of the Park's biggest opponents here in Holyrood once were vocal supporters of a new National Park in Scotland. The Tories backed the designation of a new National Park in both the 2016 and 2021 manifestos, even demanding the next park be in Galloway. But once again, they have sided with wealthy landowners who oppose change and lobby for their comfy status quo. 'Ultimately, it is the people of Galloway who will pay the price for this decision to scrap the National Park, and I'm sure this wasted opportunity will not be quickly forgotten by communities.' Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland said: 'The news that Galloway is no longer under consideration to be Scotland's next National Park should send a chill down the spine of everyone campaigning to make the world a better place. That a policy so popular with the public, and a designation with so much promise for the region, has been dropped, seemingly in response to a well-funded media campaign spreading fear and misinformation, is a tragedy." Karen Blackport, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Bright Green Nature, said: 'By scrapping plans for a Galloway National Park, the Scottish Government has yet again proved it cannot successfully plot a path to a wilder Scotland. "This decision undermines efforts to restore nature, protect wildlife and support resilient rural communities. Amidst a climate and biodiversity crisis, Scotland needs leadership and vision – not another retreat from meaningful action. " Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: 'Scotland has waited for two decades for its third national park, so we are disappointed to see this major opportunity missed. 'A new Galloway National Park, if delivered well, had the potential to attract funding, promote responsible outdoor recreation and support people from all backgrounds to walk in this beautiful corner of Scotland. 'We hope that the next Parliament will work to rebuild confidence that national parks are a key part of how Scotland's finest environments can be managed for the mutual benefit of residents, visitors and nature.'
