The people have spoken... 54% against and 42% in favour, so plans for a new national park are ditched

THE SNP government performed another screeching U-turn as it scrapped plans to create a new national park in Galloway.

- David Walker

Ministers faced heavy opposition from many people in the region after it was chosen to become the latest designated park, which would have brought with it new rules and regulations - and a lot more tourists.

Anger

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon yesterday said she was no longer going ahead with the proposals following a consultation and an assessment by a government reporter. Both of these combined to create a negative case, with officials now back to the drawing board.

The decision was met with anger from the Scottish Greens, with the proposal agreed as part of the Bute House Agreement that has since been axed. It is the latest Green policy to be ripped up by John Swinney, with a gas boiler ban also falling by the wayside. Ms Gougeon told Holyrood: "We have weighed up the arguments for and against the creation of a new national park, taking full account of the potential economic, social and environmental factors, and we have come to the conclusion not to proceed with the designation."