THE Scottish government has axed plans to establish a new national park in Galloway following local opposition.

The plans for Scotland’s third national park formed part of the 2021 SNP-Green coalition agreement. Galloway, one of five bidders for the special status, was selected by ministers as the preferred location last July.

But SNP Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon told the Scottish Parliament today that they would be ditched after a consultation showed 54 per cent of people in the area were opposed to the plans, compared with 42 per cent in favour.

Acknowledging that the decision would be “disappointing” for some, she told MSPs: “We have listened to the people of Galloway and Ayrshire.

“While there is substantial support for a national park and what it could deliver for the south-west of Scotland, there is also significant opposition.”

Stephen Young of landowners’ lobby group Scottish Land and Estates welcomed the decision as the “right one.”

However, Action to Protect Rural Scotland’s Kat Jones argued that he decision had been made “in response to a well-funded media campaign spreading fear and misinformation.”

Echoing that sentiment, Green MSP Mark Ruskell attacked the U-turn as the “culmination of lack of confident political leadership and the dangerous influence of powerful vested interests.

“The Scottish government has slammed the door on the economic investment and new powers this designation could bring,” he added.

“This is devastating news for the local community and nature. Once again, they have sided with wealthy landowners who oppose change and lobby for their comfy status quo.”

Galloway National Park Association chairman Rob Lucas added: “Our disappointment is not just for the loss of a national park but for the whole future of Galloway which has been badly let down once again.”