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Cairngorms

Sustainable Development of Communities at heart of National Park

4th May 2004

Speaking to the meeting of the Highland Council in Aviemore recently, Andrew Thin, convener of the Cairngorm National Park Authority (CNPA), emphasised the importance of sustainable social and economic development of local communities to the work of the Park Authority.  He said:

“The CNPA is primarily what is called an “enabling” organisation.  We work mainly with and through others.  We bring people together, resolve constraints and try to make things happen that would not otherwise do so.  We coordinate, initiate, stimulate, lead, encourage, and we bring a modest amount of extra funding to the table.”

“Sustainable social and economic development of local communities lies at the heart of what we are trying to do.  The special qualities of the CNP must be cared for to be enjoyed by future generations, but so too must there be future generations of people living and working here.  Not just so that they can continue to enjoy these wonderful assets but also so as to manage and look after the very things that make this area so special in the first place.

“Above all we must make this a National  Park for all of Scotland’s people, and we must make sure that everyone can enjoy and benefit from its existence, whatever their interests or circumstances.”

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