06.08.2015
What would be the impact of extending the Pentland Hills Regional Park? This is just one question being asked by the Scottish Parliament as it begins its consideration of the Pentland Hills Regional Park Boundary Bill.
The Bill, introduced by Christine Grahame MSP, wants to extend the existing Pentland Hills Regional Park with the aim that all of the Pentland Hills range is protected and maintained to the same standards.
Now, the Pentland Hills Regional Park Boundary Bill Committee wants to hear from all of those who may be affected to find out what impact this change would have in practice.
Committee Convener, James Dornan MSP said:
“The Pentland Hills are used by thousands of people as a place to enjoy some of the best of the Scottish countryside.
“The Bill proposes extending the current regional park to cover most of the Pentland Hills range. It is a range which extends more than 20 miles and not only provides a stunning place to visit, but is also a place where many people live and work.
“Our Committee wants to find out what the impact of extending the boundary of the park would be. We want to hear first-hand the benefits and disadvantages of the proposals before us. Only by doing this can we be sure the Bill can really make the difference it hopes.
The Committee would like to hear from all of those affected by the proposed change. In particular the Committee is asking:
• What would be the benefits and disadvantages for you as a consequence of the boundary being extended?
• Where will the funding, required by local authorities, to support the extension of the boundary be found?
• Would existing governance arrangements need to change to support the boundary extension; if so, in what way?
Background
Introduced in April 2015, the Bill aims to “extend the existing Regional Park to encompass all (or nearly all) of the Pentland Hills range, thus ensuring it is protected and that decisions about how the land is used and maintained in the long term are guided by the Regional Park principal aims”.
Submissions should be limited to no more than four pages of A4. Responses should be sent, wherever possible, electronically and in MS Word format to the following email address: PentlandParkBill.Committee@scottish.parliament.uk
Before submitting your evidence please read the Parliament’s policy on treatment of written evidence by subject and mandatory committees (see below).
Responses can also be sent by post to:
Clerk to the Pentland Hills Regional Park Boundary Bill Committee
Committee Office
Room T3.40
Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
The closing date for receipt of submissions is 6 pm on Friday 28 September 2015.