Correspondence May. 29 2024

Found: The evidence is compiled by the Scottish Bed & Breakfast Association (SBBA), the national trade association

Mentions:
1: Arthur, Tom (SNP - Renfrewshire South) turn to Miles Briggs’s amendments 22, 23 and 25, which would remove campsites, hostels and caravan parks - Speech Link
2: Roddick, Emma (SNP - Highlands and Islands) constituents and business owners in my region that the implementation of a charge at caravan or holiday parks - Speech Link
3: Mountain, Edward (Con - Highlands and Islands) I am slightly confused because, across the Highlands, caravans use not only caravan parks but local government-approved - Speech Link

S6W-27529

Asked by: Lennon, Monica (Scottish Labour - Central Scotland)

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the (a) biodiversity strategy and (b) designation of a new national park. 

Answered by Gougeon, Mairi - Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands

(a) Following a public consultation a draft Biodiversity strategy was published in 2022. The strategy sets out our clear ambition for Scotland to be Nature positive by 2030 and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity across the country by 2045.

A further consultation in September 2023 sought views on key elements of Scotland’s overall Biodiversity Framework including the draft strategy, supporting delivery plan and elements of a proposed new Natural Environment bill. We are working through the analysis and subject to ministerial approvals the plan is to publish the strategy and delivery plan later this year.

(b) The deadline for nominations from communities and organisations that would like their area to be considered for designation as a new National Park was 29 February 2024. Nominations were received from the Galloway, Lochaber, Loch Awe, Scottish Borders and Tay Forest. The nominations are currently being appraised against the criteria outlined in the published appraisal framework - New National Parks: nominations guidance and appraisal framework - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) . This appraisal framework was finalised following public consultation.

Following the completion of this appraisal process and the submission of a report, Ministers will decide which of the nomination should be taken forward to the next stage. The National Park proposal(s) will be published and will set out the area which it is proposed should be designated as a National Park.

A statutory process will then commence, starting with a detailed exploration of the National Park proposal that will be led by a ‘reporter’. This process is estimated to take around 9 months and will involve extensive consultation and engagement with local communities, stakeholders, businesses, local authorities, community councils and relevant public bodies and interest groups in order to further develop, test and refine the National Park proposal in light of local views and circumstances.

The reporter’s report to Scottish Ministers will take into account any views on the National Park proposal that are expressed during the consultation. The report will be published and laid before Parliament.

Following the publication of this report, and subject to legal conditions being met, the Scottish Government will then lay a designation order before Parliament in order to establish the new National Park(s). This process will include a 12-week public consultation on the draft designation order. Following this period of consultation a final designation order would then be laid before parliament.

S6W-27285

Asked by:

Question

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has undertaken with stakeholders in relation to wildfire prevention ahead of summer 2024.

Answered by Fairlie, Jim

The Scottish Wildfire Forum, which is chaired by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, includes Local Authorities, Regional Resilience Partnerships and other Agencies as members to assess wildfire risks and consider what mitigating actions might be taken.

Alongside the Forum, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service continue to work closely with land managers and local communities prevent wildfires ever occurring.

Work is also ongoing within our National Parks to address concerns around the risk and impact of wildfires. The Cairngorms National Park (CNP) consultation on Fire Management, which ran from February to April of this year, sought views on proposals to reduce fire management byelaws which aim to reduce the risk of wildfires being ignited, and on how the Park Authority might enhance its communication and education approach.

Both the CNP and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park also engage with key stakeholders through Visit Scotland’s Visitor Management Strategy Group Visitor Management: Scotland's Plan & Objectives | VisitScotland.org t o develop messaging around visitor related fires.