Tourism development in Galloway could worsen rural depopulation councillor warns
Dee and Glenkens Councillor Dougie Campbell is calling for careful planning to avoid harm to local communities.
Developing the tourism industry in Galloway could worsen the area’s rural depopulation problem, a councillor has warned.
And Dougie Campbell has stressed that any plans to grow the tourism economy should be created carefully to ensure “our communities are not left behind”.
The issue was discussed at Dumfries and Galloway’s full council meeting last week because tourism development and nature restoration in Galloway are set to be explored by Scottish Government ministers.
Following the collapse of plans for a national park, Mairi Gougeon, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, is pulling together plans for alternatives and various tourism opportunities.
Council leader Stephen Thompson last week confirmed that he, along with the leaders of East and South Ayrshire councils, will meet the cabinet secretary on January 7 to discuss these ambitions.
After the council meeting, Dee and Glenkens Councillor Dougie Campbell said: “The progression of opportunities for Galloway in the aftermath of the national park decision mustn’t leave people and our communities behind.
“The outdoor environment and biodiversity are really important but Galloway has wider economic considerations such as farming, forestry, and fishing.
“I have serious concerns about rural depopulation and the impact of increased tourism without sufficient infrastructure, and even more housing eaten up by short-term lets.
“There’s a real danger that focus on tourism alone makes the current situation even worse.
“The council has commissioned research on rural depopulation and if we are to progress priorities recommended by Nature Scot we need to understand how over reliance on tourism will impact on people who live and work here.
“We should be a living, thriving community – not just a backdrop for postcards.”
Meanwhile, Stuart McMillan, the council’s interim head of economy and infrastructure, confirmed that council officials met with Scottish Government civil servants on December 5 for talks on next steps after the rejection of the national park plans.
That meeting revealed that the cabinet secretary would be meeting with various public sector bodies, such as NatureScot, Scottish Forestry and VisitScotland, to begin developing a strategy for national park alternatives.
Scottish Government ministers opted not to pursue the Galloway National Park proposal in the summer due to public opposition to the nomination.
Findings from a 14-week NatureScot consultation revealed that 54 per cent of respondents opposed the proposal, with 42 percent of the more than 5,000 surveys returned in favour.