Dumfries and Galloway councillors criticise Galloway National Park consultation events

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Five Stewartry councillors have criticised the public events schedule for the Galloway National Park consultation. The Scottish Government reporter in charge of the process, NatureScot, has announced 16 dates for people to have their say.

Venues include Kirkcudbright, Kippford and Carsphairn – but neither Castle Douglas nor Dalbeattie. Now councillors Pauline Drysdale, Kim Lowe, Ian Blake, Iain Howie and John Young have written to NatureScot asking why the towns are not listed.

Their joint email states: “Can you please advise us why there are no consultations planned in Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie as both towns will be affected? “Also, please advise as to why the majority of consultations will be during the day as this does not meet the needs of the working population? “Finally, why are no consultations taking place between December 4 and January 9?” This latest move comes as the consultation on establishing a Galloway National Park is scheduled to go live today.

NatureScot decided public events would be “most useful” to people in the area if they complemented the formal consultation from November onward and indicated there could be leeway in expanding the meetings schedule.