News Review: Harris set to weave new chapter in its history

Published on Friday 13 February 2009 20:59

ECONOMIC lifeline or bureaucratic straightjacket? Environmental safeguard or development obstacle? The people of Harris this week received ballot papers to vote on whether their island should become Scotland's third national park.

Discussions have been going on for more than a year, but after a series of community consultations feelings are still mixed on the benefits of such status being granted.

Some see a national park as being vital in helping reverse Harris's chronic population decline by creating jobs and boosting tourism, while also protecting the island's environmental and cultural heritage.

Others, however, fear the designation would surround Harris in more red tape, push house prices even further out of the reach of indigenous islanders and hamper much-needed economic development.

Calum MacKay, the chairman of the Isle of Harris National Park Study Group, wants a clear message one way or another when the ballot result is announced next week: "We hope to have a strong mandate to either go to the next stage or just forget about it."

The move is unique – other areas have been suggested as candidates for national park status, but none has been balloted on the issue before.

Scotland has two national parks at present – Cairngorms, which covers 3,800 square kilometres and has a population of 16,000 (although it is to be extended); and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, (1,865sq km and 15,600 residents).

If approved, the Harris park would be 500sq km and have a population of 1,984, the lowest of any UK national park.

The impetus for action stems from the need to defuse the island's demographic timebomb. The population of Harris fell by 24 per cent between 1981 and 2001, to 1,984. Primary school rolls have fallen from 179 in 1998 to 117 in 2007 and the secondary school's roll from 141 to 109. In all, 37 per cent of the population is now over 65.

A consultants' report makes the case for park status against a bleak backdrop: "In stark terms, if current population trends continue, Harris will be unable to sustain its present contribution to the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland.

"High levels of out-migration and a low birth rate are leading to a continuing decline in the Harris population, particularly young people. For Harris to thrive, the area needs to retain, attract and nurture able and motivated people."

It adds: "Economically and socially, the area is fragile. Without park status, tourism may at best grow at a slow rate, but with park status tourism could take advantage of the internationally recognised national park 'brand'."

The report suggests the new park's budget would be about 800,000 and would employ the equivalent of about 15-20 people full time. There is potential for another 70 to be employed in tourism and construction.

A move towards park status would be a further illustration of the Harris community's self-help attitude. In 2003, the community-run North Harris Trust bought the 55,000-acre North Harris Estate and in 2006 added the neighbouring 7,000-acre Loch Seaforth Estate.

More than half of Harris is now in community hands and a possible transfer of government land in west Harris could see this rise to 60 per cent.

The consultants says this could help the island. "The North Harris buy-out demonstrated a willingness to set aside the inherent caution present in many Hebridean communities and grasp opportunities. After five years, the pioneering spirit is still strong and is delivering tangible projects, including community-scale renewable energy ventures and leadership on projects such as this national park study – an investigation that no other Scottish community appears to have considered."

According to the study, Harris could meet the conditions for national park status because of its natural and cultural heritage and its distinctive character. The proposed park area – covering Harris and the islands of Scarp, Scalpay and Taransay – already lies within a National Scenic Area and also includes a Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area and five Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

The island's rugged hills, dramatic moorland and peerless beaches provide a diversity of landscape regarded as unmatched in an area of comparable size anywhere in Scotland.

The wildlife includes seals, otters, eagles, fresh-water pearl mussel and significant breeding populations of ground-nesting waders.

Culturally it is also important, with the second highest percentage of Gaelic speakers in Scotland, and it retains many traditional industries, including crofting, fishing and weaving.

Harris is seen as a "hidden gem" as far as tourism is concerned. An estimated 117,000 people visited in 2006 and it is said park status could increase numbers by between 25 per cent and 50 per cent in the medium to long term through branding and better facilities.

There would be scope for crofts to diversify into environmental management and put added value on produce through park branding. There could be support for small-scale renewable energy schemes and encouragement for developers to build affordable housing.

Calum MacKay said the park could be adapted to suit the island and be run by locals. "People are afraid that things will be imposed upon them, but that won't be the case," he said. "The management committee would be locally elected people and there will also be local authority membership, while it is unlikely that people not resident in the islands will be appointed by the government."

But Donald Macdonald, who runs the Rodel Hotel, says: "Do we need this extra level of bureaucracy when there are already environmental safeguards which I believe are sufficient?

"We are told it (the park authority] could call in planning applications relevant to Harris. We should be trying to create development by making it more accessible to developers. If they feel they are on the back foot before they start, they could be discouraged from coming here.

"There is government protection for traditions and culture already. How is national park status going to help Harris in ways that are not being done?

"From my experience of national parks in other areas, house prices will increase, so how will they make housing available for young people?"

Catherine Macdonald, a local councillor, said there are fears a park could deter development such as the Lingerbay "superquarry", which was rejected after opposition from environmentalists. "I have been worried in the past by designations putting a stop to developments," she said. "A lot of positive information has come out but there is also caution."

Should residents support pursuing national park status, the issue would go to Scottish ministers who would appoint a body, probably Scottish Natural Heritage, to consult further before reporting to parliament.

A Harris park has not been ruled out, but neither is there any firm commitment and it is not included in the spending plans until March 2011.

Roseanna Cunningham, the new environment minister, told The Scotsman: "That the people of Harris have such pride in their local environment to consider promoting the area as Scotland's third national park is extremely welcome.

"Harris has much to offer in terms of the uniqueness and splendour of its environment and I look forward, in the months ahead, to working with the community in developing new ideas on how best to preserve and enhance the area."

THE EXPERT'S INSIGHT

Legislation allows for community first

PETER RAWCLIFFE, Quality of life unit manager, policy and advice directorate, Scottish Natural Heritage.

IF THIS happens it will be a first. The two existing national parks were areas that had long been discussed for park status until designation in 1997. This initiative has come from the bottom up. A community has never asked itself using a ballot if it should put itself forward for park designation.

Harris certainly has many qualities you would expect in a national park. It is a National Scenic Area, a nationally important landscape and has many other environmental designations as well as distinctive cultural heritage, including its language. Park status could improve tourism, create jobs and raise the profile of the area. But it would need to meet all three conditions for park designation, including whether park status would be the best means of addressing the special needs of the area.

The impact of designation on house prices in park areas is inconclusive and whether experience on the mainland is comparable with Harris in any case is debatable. A fear that has a been expressed is that designation could discourage development and I would encourage people to talk to the community and businesses within existing national parks to see how much they think this is an issue in practice.

The two existing parks have been set up in a certain way, but there is no reason within the legislation why you could not have a very different form of park in other parts of the country, like Harris.

THE INSIDER'S VIEW

Park a positive step for island's fortunes

DAVID CAMERON is a member of the park study group

THE consultants' report states categorically Harris has both the social and environmental qualities that make it worthy of consideration as Scotland's first island national park.

It is also beyond argument that Harris is in a situation requiring urgent attention. We have a declining population and a lack of children. One school in North Harris closed last August and this week we heard schools in Scalpay and Seilebost are under review because of falling numbers.

Last year only 12 children were born on the island and in 2007 there were just five. Over the same period 76 people died. If we want a thriving community the status quo is not an option.

Opinions on park status vary but, speaking personally, I believe that park status for Harris will initially create 12-15 well-paid jobs. These should be situated in a part of the island that needs the most reinvigorating.

It is possible to create a park board which has a majority of locally-elected people.

A national park will provide a focus for external funding to safeguard aspects of our community which make it what it is. The existing Scottish national parks have building of affordable housing as one of their functions.

I believe we can negotiate a park suitable for the characteristics of our area. Add in the prospect of jobs and a structure which will safeguard the community's deep-rooted culture and a positive vote is an attractive proposition.

IN QUOTES

"National Park status should give Western Isles businesses that benefit from tourist spending a greater incentive to look after natural and cultural assets."

– Consultants' report

"It makes sense for the government to consider national park designation where communities are supportive.."

– Michael Russell, former environment minister

"After debate, it was unanimously agreed that there is merit in exploring the feasibility of North Harris being designated as a national park."

– North Harris Trust

"At one extreme, you can believe that national park status will cause house prices to rise, planning to become harder, and introduce bureaucracy controlled from off-island. At the other extreme, national park status should provide 50-60 skilled jobs funded by the Scottish Government. The truth is probably somewhere between the two."

– David Cameron, member of the Harris National Park Study Group

"The initiative lies with the people and unless they ask for a national park there is no proposal. If it does happen I would wish to maximise the local control."

– Alastair Allan, local MSP

"The people of Harris see this as a way to reinvigorate the economy. We are assured by the government that economic development is a core function of national parks."

– Philip McLean, Harris councillor

"The proposal has come from within the community and not from outside".

– Calum MacKay, chairman of Harris National Park Study Group

"It would not be any more restrictive than all the designations we have already. At least this could bring benefit."

– Morag Munro, Harris councillor

KEYWORDS

NORTH HARRIS TRUST

Community body that bought North Harris Estate and neighbouring Seaforth Estate.

ISLE OF HARRIS NATIONAL PARK STUDY GROUP

Group comprising residents from across the island chosen by the community to investigate the possibility of national park status.

HEARACH

A person native to Harris.

NATIONAL PARKS (SCOTLAND) ACT 2000

Legislation which sets out the process for establishing national parks. A final decision on designation is taken by the Scottish Parliament.

NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY BOARD

Body that runs a park with a limit of 25 members, 20 per cent of whom are elected locally with others appointed by Scottish ministers.