Cairngorms National Park 
 some recent comments on the Park Authority by BSCG Chairman and others

The Cairngorms Shadow Board (CSB) plans to report on the performance of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA). The Shadow Board initiative arises from concern about the way that the Cairngorms National Park has been operating many of which have been shared by BSCG. News of CSB has appeared in the Scotsman in the following article published a year to the day after the launch of the Cairngorms National Park. Speaking on the anniversary of the launch of the National Park the Convener of BSCG has welcomed news of the Shadow Board referring to it as "a positive step towards inspiring the Park Authority to do more for conservation and to encourage the kinds of changes that could make the Cairngorms National Park a better model for future National Parks in Scotland."

Commenting on the first year of the Cairngorms National Park Gus Jones added "The leadership of the National Park Board and the Authority has in our view been demonstrably inadequate when it comes to the need for inspired and consistent vision that properly embraces the true ethos of National Parks. Sadly public trust has been a casualty of inconsistent and ill informed decision making, politicking and too much spin. Problems this year have demonstrated the urgent need for the parliament to put right without delay the flawed boundary and reform the problematic planning arrangements. This would be a great improvement on the present position for the credibility of the Cairngorms National Park on the international stage."

Fresh Blood Call for National Park Board

With a vacancy on the national park board with the departure of former Councillor Bob Severn BSCG is keen to see the Executive plump for an alternative to Cllr Sandy Park who it has been reported has been the Council's initially proposed replacement.

Nairn Councillor Sandy Park already chairs the Planning, Development Europe and Tourism Committee and is on two Area Planning Committees, (for Badenoch and Strathspey and Nairn). BSCG considers there are equally able and more appropriate options who could strengthen the Highland Council contingent on the Park Board. At a recent hearing over controversial proposal for housing in woodland near Carrbridge intially Councillor Park was the only Councillor on the planning committee supportive of the environmentally damaging project in amenity woodland although after he failed to win a seconder for his motion Cllr Park went on (contrary to one newspaper report) to vote for rejection of the application in accordance with the wishes of the community of Carrbridge.

Campaigners cast shadow over park's birthday

1.9.04

JOHN ROSS

THE first birthday of the Cairngorms National Park is being marked today - as campaigners launch a shadow park authority in protest at the way the scenic area is being run.

The seven-strong shadow board has listed 18 points of concern relating to recent action by the authority.

Members say they have been planning the move for some time and the formation of the shadow board was not intended to coincide with the park’s anniversary.

They say that they will attend authority meetings, study official publications and air their views through public comment.

Dr Adam Watson, an ecologist and spokesman for the group, said: "We hope the board will grow. We don’t intend to just be negative - if there are errors we will say so, but if they do something we agree with we will give them a pat on the back."

The park authority came under criticism even before it came into power. A campaign group has complained about the exclusion of Highland Perthshire from the park, while some also believe the authority should have complete control of planning issues, rather than having its powers split with local authorities.

Criticisms being highlighted by the shadow board include: the launch of the park at the Cairngorm funicular railway; "poor" procedure at authority meetings; the calling-in of plans for minor alterations to houses while failing to call in an application for luxury homes in Milton Wood, Aviemore; and the "illogical and unjustifiable" decision to spend £850,000 on 31 signs at park entrances.

The group also questions the expertise of the current board.

The shadow board also includes: Irvine Butterfield, a mountaineer and author; Dr Robert Moss, an expert on the capercaillie; James Oswald, a retired head gamekeeper; Mollie Porter, a mountaineer and former ranger; Michael Taylor, a former director of the Scottish Scenic Trust; and Jenny Watson, Dr Watson’s wife and an Aberdeenshire councillor.

A spokesman for the park authority said: "We have noted this group’s intention but do not wish to comment further."

Of its first year, the park authority said that most staff had been appointed, offices equipped and systems put in place to deliver the planning and management functions. The authority is also working with groups and individuals to develop the National Park Plan that will set out a long-term strategy for the area.

Andrew Thin, the authority’s convener, said there had been tremendous goodwill shown towards the park, which aimed to be close to the people.

He said: "It will take many years, and no doubt mistakes will be made along the way, but ultimately this will be a truly national park, with something to contribute to the lives of every citizen, whoever they are.

"Inevitably, people have high expectations of us," he added.