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Chamber and committees

Question reference: S6W-28399

  • Asked by: Ash Regan, MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Alba Party
  • Date lodged: 27 June 2024
  • Current status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 24 July 2024

Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27934 by Mairi Gougeon on 18 June 2024, what it estimates the final cost of designating a new national park will be, and what its position is on whether this is an effective use of public money, in light of the reportedly restricted financial situation.


Answer

As outlined on 18 June 2024 in response to question S6W-27934, the delivery costs to date of designating a new National Park, excluding staffing costs and expenses, are £331,409.05.

The Scottish Government estimates the final cost of designating a new National Park to be £478,500. This includes the delivery costs incurred to date as well as estimated costs for the next phase of work. It does not include the cost of a Reporter Investigation which will be undertaken by NatureScot.

The annual running cost of a new National Park will be determined by a range of factors which will be considered and consulted upon during the Reporter Investigation. This includes the size and boundary of any area proposed for designation and the powers, functions and governance of a new National Park.

Any new National Park would be expected to contribute to Scottish Government priorities including growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency and improving public services.