As revealed in The Herald yesterday, a campaign to have the Campsie Fells designated a regional park has been unveiled.
Several groups aim to boost the profile of the range of hills overlooking Glasgow to make it an area of national importance and promote tourism.
Representatives from four councils – East Dunbartonshire, Stirling, Falkirk and North Lanarkshire – as well as from Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland have had meetings to advance the proposal.
It is hoped regional park status would increase leisure and business opportunities, boost public access and increase protection for the area.
There are currently three regional parks in Scotland: Clyde Muirshiel south of Glasgow, the Pentland Hills south of Edinburgh and the Lomond Hills in Fife.
They are designated and managed by local authorities, with support from Scottish Natural Heritage, and provide co-ordinated management for recreation alongside land uses such as farming and forestry.
Angus Graham, a major landowner around the Campsie Fells, was among those who welcomed the plans yesterday. He said it would be vital to balance the needs of tourism and conservation.
“As well as wanting to encourage more people to come and enjoy the area, we have to make sure we preserve this beautiful place. An increase in the amount of tourists may mean that the area will be ruined,” he said.
“If camping and car parks are to happen as part of this plan, then I think some discipline will be needed. Perhaps wardens should be in place.”
Strathblane resident Eric Strachan has spent several years campaigning for the Campsie Fells to receive regional park status and is “delighted” at the latest step.
Mr Strachan, an active member of the local Green Belt Committee, said: “Regional park status will put pressure on developers and stop them from trying to build on the land. Hopefully, it will give developers the message to calm down. It’s not just the issue of preserving the area, but recently our village lost its post office, so we need to build up that lost revenue in some other way.”
Changes to the area’s status will boost its profile and promote tourism in what, for many, is a neglected part of Scotland, despite its proximity to the country’s largest population centre.
Colin Cresswell, 70, has lived in the village of Strathblane for more than 30 years, with his home sitting at the foot of the Campsies.
Mr Cresswell said: “I think the regional park status is a good idea as there will always be people wanting to develop on this land, but this change could mean that the Fells are protected.
“I walk a lot and I do think the Campsie Fells are valuable to our community.
Another local resident, 61-year-old David James, recently used the fells to train for a 500-mile hike across Spain: “I think regional park status would be terrific for the area. If you look at the Trossachs and the difference that national park status has made to that community, then this would be positive for us too.”
In nearby Lennoxtown, childminder Kathy Shappelle, welcomed the plans.
She said: “I think it would be fantastic for Lennoxtown and the surrounding area. Hopefully, we would get more local amenities like public toilets, cafes and good shops. Perhaps some decent parking could be introduced too.”
One major stumbling block could be the recession and availability of resources to advance the plan. Some partners on the Campsie Fells Steering Group favour an alternative plan where there’s an agreement to protect and promote the hills, but falling short of regional park status.
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