Chris Monk
Well-known member
http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.u...tentPK=16167245&folderPk=85696&pNodeId=149221
PACKED MULL MEETING HEARS OF MARINE PARK POSSIBILITY
This is NorthScotland :news:
MOIRA KERR
08:50 - 12 December 2006
Almost 200 people packed a Mull meeting on proposals for a coastal and marine national park.
A host of speakers addressed the five-hour meeting in Craignure Village Hall, last week.
The aim was to give the local community as much information as possible so that people can submit their views to the Scottish Executive before the park plan's public consultation period ends on January 10.
James Hilder, development manager of Mull and Iona Community Trust, who chaired the meeting, said: "The majority of the meeting was definitely not supportive of the park concept thus far, mainly because it raises so many questions.
"The Government has put out this paper, but have said: what do you think? People would be more likely to respond if all the details were put out." However, he stressed: "The message to everyone is: get your comments in now."
The executive has still to decide where it thinks the best location for the park would be, but the Argyll islands and coast area has been identified as one of the strong candidate areas.
The local fishing community is firmly against the proposal, fearing it would bring restrictions which would pose a threat to their livelihood, while there are many in the tourist trade who believe that park status would enhance the area in the eyes of visitors.
Mr Hilder said speakers for and against the proposal had their say alongside David Mallon, head of the Scottish Executive's marine management division, at the meeting.
He added that some opponents of the park plan believe that, if it does go ahead, it should not be managed by a park committee, but by a new inshore fisheries management group structure, which is still to be established.
Mr Hilder said there was great concern though, because the timetable for setting up such a group on Mull has yet to be announced.
There was also concern voiced that, if a park committee did take control, it would not involve enough local people as the Scottish Executive proposes to nominate 10 members, with the local authority putting forward 10, and the local community only being asked to elect five representatives.
Mr Hilder added that there was "intense questioning" about how the marine park issue could have got to this late stage with so little meaningful consultation at community level.
He said: "It was pointed out that, in the spring, the Government will make its decision as to where it wants the park to be and, unless something significant happens in terms of a mass public outcry, all it is going to do at that point is to consult on the exact boundary and go into discussion with local authorities and the community to try and work out how it is going to be run."
The executive has invited stakeholders with an interest in the park debate to attend a meeting in the Argyllshire Gathering Halls, Oban, tomorrow, starting at 9.15am.
PACKED MULL MEETING HEARS OF MARINE PARK POSSIBILITY
This is NorthScotland :news:
MOIRA KERR
08:50 - 12 December 2006
Almost 200 people packed a Mull meeting on proposals for a coastal and marine national park.
A host of speakers addressed the five-hour meeting in Craignure Village Hall, last week.
The aim was to give the local community as much information as possible so that people can submit their views to the Scottish Executive before the park plan's public consultation period ends on January 10.
James Hilder, development manager of Mull and Iona Community Trust, who chaired the meeting, said: "The majority of the meeting was definitely not supportive of the park concept thus far, mainly because it raises so many questions.
"The Government has put out this paper, but have said: what do you think? People would be more likely to respond if all the details were put out." However, he stressed: "The message to everyone is: get your comments in now."
The executive has still to decide where it thinks the best location for the park would be, but the Argyll islands and coast area has been identified as one of the strong candidate areas.
The local fishing community is firmly against the proposal, fearing it would bring restrictions which would pose a threat to their livelihood, while there are many in the tourist trade who believe that park status would enhance the area in the eyes of visitors.
Mr Hilder said speakers for and against the proposal had their say alongside David Mallon, head of the Scottish Executive's marine management division, at the meeting.
He added that some opponents of the park plan believe that, if it does go ahead, it should not be managed by a park committee, but by a new inshore fisheries management group structure, which is still to be established.
Mr Hilder said there was great concern though, because the timetable for setting up such a group on Mull has yet to be announced.
There was also concern voiced that, if a park committee did take control, it would not involve enough local people as the Scottish Executive proposes to nominate 10 members, with the local authority putting forward 10, and the local community only being asked to elect five representatives.
Mr Hilder added that there was "intense questioning" about how the marine park issue could have got to this late stage with so little meaningful consultation at community level.
He said: "It was pointed out that, in the spring, the Government will make its decision as to where it wants the park to be and, unless something significant happens in terms of a mass public outcry, all it is going to do at that point is to consult on the exact boundary and go into discussion with local authorities and the community to try and work out how it is going to be run."
The executive has invited stakeholders with an interest in the park debate to attend a meeting in the Argyllshire Gathering Halls, Oban, tomorrow, starting at 9.15am.
