Delay for Harris National Park 27/8/10
There are fears that cuts in public spending will hamper plans to establish a national park on the Isle of Harris.
Islanders have voted in favour as they believe it has economic and business advantages.
The Scottish Government is now waiting to see if the Comhairle supports the proposal
before considering the issue.
But gaining national park status normally attracts set-
However environment minister Roseanna Cunningham told the council of a lack of money until March 2011 and even then the “pressure on resources in the next spending review were likely to be even greater.”
In a letter to the council she stresses there is “no guarantee of success” in getting cash given the prospect of “significant pressures across all budgets in future years.”
Isles’ development chairman Archie Campbell says the council needs more information but is expected to vote on the issue in October in time be fed into the Scottish Government’s budget plans.