Conflicts in rural areas and Conflicts in rural areas and National ParksNational Parks

Loch LomondLoch Lomond

CairngormsCairngorms

AimsAims

For any named Upland Glaciated area For any named Upland Glaciated area or a National Parkor a National Park

Describe the environmental/land use Describe the environmental/land use conflicts which may arise.conflicts which may arise.

Describe how these conflicts are Describe how these conflicts are solved by the National Park Authoritysolved by the National Park Authority

Back ground – National ParksBack ground – National Parks 1950s1950s A decade of new National Parks for the nationA decade of new National Parks for the nation

The first ten National Parks are designated starting with the Peak The first ten National Parks are designated starting with the Peak District in 1951. By the end of the decade the Lake District, District in 1951. By the end of the decade the Lake District, Snowdonia, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Snowdonia, Dartmoor, Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland and Brecon Beacons Yorkshire Dales, Exmoor, Northumberland and Brecon Beacons National Parks have been established.National Parks have been established.

This 1995 National Park Authorities become independent bodies This 1995 National Park Authorities become independent bodies within local government.within local government.

20052005 New additions to the familyNew additions to the familyThe new millennium brings two Scottish National Parks – Cairngorms The new millennium brings two Scottish National Parks – Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, created by the National Parks and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, created by the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000. In 2005, the New Forest finally joins the National (Scotland) Act 2000. In 2005, the New Forest finally joins the National Park ‘family’. Park ‘family’.

The UK National ParksThe UK National Parks Order of National Parks designationOrder of National Parks designation Peak District - 1951 Peak District - 1951 Lake District - 1951 Lake District - 1951 Snowdonia - 1951 Snowdonia - 1951 Dartmoor - 1951 Dartmoor - 1951 Pembrokeshire Coast - 1952 Pembrokeshire Coast - 1952 North York Moors - 1952 North York Moors - 1952 Yorkshire Dales - 1954 Yorkshire Dales - 1954 Exmoor - 1954 Exmoor - 1954 Northumberland - 1956 Northumberland - 1956 Brecon Beacons - 1957 Brecon Beacons - 1957 The Broads - 1989 The Broads - 1989 Loch Lomond & The Trossachs - 2002 Loch Lomond & The Trossachs - 2002 Cairngorms - 2003 Cairngorms - 2003 The New Forest - 2005The New Forest - 2005

Why is there a need for Why is there a need for national parks?national parks?

Increased affluence of the population.Increased affluence of the population. Greater leisure time.Greater leisure time. Improvements in personal mobility.Improvements in personal mobility. Global communications.Global communications. Increasing population – urban sprawl.Increasing population – urban sprawl. Changing tourism.Changing tourism.

What do National Parks What do National Parks do?do?

The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 sets out the four The National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 sets out the four aims of National Parks in Scotland. These are: aims of National Parks in Scotland. These are:

To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritageTo conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage

To promote the sustainable use of the natural resources of To promote the sustainable use of the natural resources of the areathe area

To promote understanding and enjoyment (including To promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public; andof the area by the public; and

To promote sustainable social and economic development of To promote sustainable social and economic development of the communities of the area.the communities of the area.

The Cairngorms – The Cairngorms – Conservation!!Conservation!!

4 of Scotland’s highest mountains.4 of Scotland’s highest mountains. One of Europe’s last wilderness areas.One of Europe’s last wilderness areas. Unique arctic and alpine species.Unique arctic and alpine species. Ospreys and Golden Eagles.Ospreys and Golden Eagles. Home to 25% of UK’s threatened bird, Home to 25% of UK’s threatened bird,

animal and plant species.animal and plant species. Various designations, SSSI, NSA’s.Various designations, SSSI, NSA’s. Finest collection of glacial landforms in UK.Finest collection of glacial landforms in UK. Rich Cultural Heritage.Rich Cultural Heritage.

The Cairngorms – Under The Cairngorms – Under PressurePressure

Large increases in visitor numbers all Large increases in visitor numbers all year round.year round.

Has Has resulted in conflicts between resulted in conflicts between those wanting to expand tourism those wanting to expand tourism and those wanting to conserve the and those wanting to conserve the area.area.

Winter Sports – The Cairngorm Winter Sports – The Cairngorm Funicular Railway Funicular Railway

THE CAIRNGORM FUNICULAR THE CAIRNGORM FUNICULAR RAILWAYRAILWAY Demand for better ski Demand for better ski

infrastructure V’s infrastructure V’s visual and visual and environmental environmental impact.impact.

SolutionSolution– Funicular Railway.Funicular Railway.– Visitor management Visitor management

plan.plan.

 

For Against

40% business’s rely on tourism

Visual impact

Skiers bring in £12 million

Intrusion on wilderness

350 local jobs Walkers, Climbers, Cross country skiers.

Less rural depopulation

 

All year round tourism

 

Loch Lomond National ParkLoch Lomond National Park

Loch Lomond – Loch Lomond – Conservation?Conservation?

More than 70% of Scotland's population live less More than 70% of Scotland's population live less than an hour's travel time from Loch Lomond & than an hour's travel time from Loch Lomond & The Trossachs.The Trossachs.

720 sq miles (1,865 sq km) of some of the finest 720 sq miles (1,865 sq km) of some of the finest scenery in Scotland.scenery in Scotland.

There are 20 Munros (mountains above 3,000ft) There are 20 Munros (mountains above 3,000ft) in the Park and the highest is Ben More at in the Park and the highest is Ben More at 1,174m. 1,174m.

There are 22 larger lochs, with numerous smaller There are 22 larger lochs, with numerous smaller lochs and lochans. lochs and lochans.

About 50 rivers and large burns. About 50 rivers and large burns. Ospreys and Golden Eagles.Ospreys and Golden Eagles.

Tourist/Land use related Tourist/Land use related ConflictsConflicts

Local ResidentsLocal Residents Environmentalists/National Environmentalists/National Park AuthorityPark Authority

FarmersFarmers TouristsTourists

TouristsTourists

Local ResidentsLocal Residents Environmentalists/National Park AuthorityEnvironmentalists/National Park Authority FarmersFarmers TouristsTourists

TouristsTourists Litter especially in Litter especially in Luss, on beaches Luss, on beaches and on the and on the islands.islands.

Traffic Related Traffic Related issues (Luss) issues (Luss) Inconsiderate Inconsiderate parking. Noise parking. Noise and pollution. One and pollution. One way street in way street in Luss.Luss.

Rising House Rising House PricesPrices

Seasonal TourismSeasonal Tourism

Trespassing – Trespassing – LussLuss

Anti Social Anti Social Behaviour – LussBehaviour – Luss

Litter – As more people gain access Litter – As more people gain access to the islands there is increasing to the islands there is increasing pressure on fragile environments. pressure on fragile environments.

Footpath erosion – West Over Footpath erosion – West Over 15,000 walkers manage to walk 15,000 walkers manage to walk the entire way every year and over the entire way every year and over 70,000 'day walkers' visit the route 70,000 'day walkers' visit the route

every day.every day. Highland Way, Ben Highland Way, Ben Lomond.Lomond.

Increasing access to fragile Increasing access to fragile environments especially the environments especially the islands. Dogs scare nesting birds islands. Dogs scare nesting birds on the islands Capercaillie, on the islands Capercaillie, buzzards.buzzards.

Camp Fires. Lack of control or Camp Fires. Lack of control or consideration. consideration.

Wake/waves from engine powered Wake/waves from engine powered water activities cause beach water activities cause beach erosion,erosion,

Trespassing Trespassing irresponsibly. irresponsibly.

Gates openGates open

Leaving Leaving Litter.Litter.

Scaring Scaring animals animals especially especially pregnant pregnant sheep.sheep.

Active Active versus versus passive passive tourists.tourists.

Mountain Mountain bikers bikers versus versus walkers.walkers.

Water based conflictsWater based conflicts

Jet SkiersJet Skiers Water SkiersWater Skiers CanoeistsCanoeists

KayakersKayakers FishermenFishermen Ferry’sFerry’s

Speed BoatsSpeed Boats SwimmersSwimmers Cruise BoatsCruise Boats

Sea PlaneSea Plane Sailing Dinghy'sSailing Dinghy's DiversDivers

Water based conflictsWater based conflicts

Water based conflicts

Jet SkiersJet Skiers Water SkiersWater Skiers CanoeistsCanoeists

KayakersKayakers FishermenFishermen Ferry’sFerry’s

Speed BoatsSpeed Boats SwimmersSwimmers Cruise BoatsCruise Boats

Sea PlaneSea Plane Sailing Sailing Dinghy'sDinghy's

DiversDivers

SolutionsSolutions Large car park at LussLarge car park at Luss NPA – Bye LawsNPA – Bye Laws Ranger service – empty bins twice daily in Ranger service – empty bins twice daily in

Luss.Luss. No bins provided on beaches.No bins provided on beaches. Education provided by Ranger Service.Education provided by Ranger Service. Interpretation boards/signage.Interpretation boards/signage. Creation of Honey pots – Luss and Balloch.Creation of Honey pots – Luss and Balloch. Loch Lomond Shores visitor centre.Loch Lomond Shores visitor centre. Affordable Housing.[[[-[Affordable Housing.[[[-[ Outdoor Access Code. Outdoor Access Code.

A sewage issue in LussA sewage issue in Luss ProblemProblem The car park facilitates over 400 carsThe car park facilitates over 400 cars Luss is one of the main toilet stops on the A82.Luss is one of the main toilet stops on the A82. I million visitors a year.I million visitors a year. The sewage system in Luss was built to provide for the 200 residents. The sewage system in Luss was built to provide for the 200 residents.

SolutionSolution Development of a open sewage treatment plant on the outskirts of Luss.Development of a open sewage treatment plant on the outskirts of Luss.

ConflictConflict Smells in summerSmells in summer UnsightlyUnsightly Noisy for local residents.Noisy for local residents.

Success?Success? No raw sewage going into Loch Lomond.No raw sewage going into Loch Lomond. Improved sewage facilities in Luss to meet the demand. Improved sewage facilities in Luss to meet the demand.

Footpath erosionFootpath erosion

Areas which attract a lot of people can suffer from Areas which attract a lot of people can suffer from the effects of repeated trampling by human feet. the effects of repeated trampling by human feet. Mountain vegetation cannot withstand heavy Mountain vegetation cannot withstand heavy pressure and dies back ultimately leaving bare pressure and dies back ultimately leaving bare ground with consequent problems fo soil erosion. ground with consequent problems fo soil erosion.

On Ben Lomond with increased visitor pressure On Ben Lomond with increased visitor pressure the path steadily became wider. As the vegetation the path steadily became wider. As the vegetation cover was lost a lot of sediment was washed off cover was lost a lot of sediment was washed off the path to be deposited further down the slope the path to be deposited further down the slope causing further vegetation loss. causing further vegetation loss.

Core PathsCore Paths What Are Core Paths?What Are Core Paths? The essential paths that people need to get about their area and enjoy the outdoors. They can include The essential paths that people need to get about their area and enjoy the outdoors. They can include

waterways as well as paths and apply to everyone, including walkers, canoeists, horse-riders and cyclists. waterways as well as paths and apply to everyone, including walkers, canoeists, horse-riders and cyclists. Most of the proposed core paths already exist and are already being used by the public.Most of the proposed core paths already exist and are already being used by the public.

Positive SolutionsPositive Solutions Provides access to the landscape.Provides access to the landscape. Provides well built paths which can be maintained. Provides well built paths which can be maintained. By sticking to paths there is less opportunity to trespass or put pressure on By sticking to paths there is less opportunity to trespass or put pressure on

fragile environments.fragile environments. Interpretation boards can be set up along the paths to improve education.Interpretation boards can be set up along the paths to improve education. NP has greater control of where people are in the park.NP has greater control of where people are in the park. Offer opportunities to enjoy the Park’s special qualities Offer opportunities to enjoy the Park’s special qualities Are promoted and offer potential economic benefitsAre promoted and offer potential economic benefits