Next stage of National Park fire byelaw introduction sees launch of phase two consultation

The Park Authority have today, Monday 23 September, launched a 12-week public consultation on the formal wording of a fire management byelaw for the Cairngorms National Park, as agreed by the Park Authority board on 13 September.

Drawing on feedback from the public earlier this year – 79% of all 1,600 respondents supported the introduction of a byelaw – the Park Authority board agreed to develop a seasonal fire management byelaw, which would last from 1 April to 30 September each year. Whilst the Park Authority did not express a preference during this consultation, the results from members of the public gave a clear mandate for change.

The Park Authority must now consult on the specific wording of the byelaw, as set out in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000.

Sandy Bremner, Convener at the Cairngorms National Park Authority, said: “The feelings of a large majority of those who took part in the first phase of the consultation were clear – the people who live, work in and visit the National Park would welcome the introduction of a fire management byelaw. They also told us that a byelaw should be easy to communicate, should not be heavy-handed, and should cover the period with the greatest risk – namely the busy summer months.

“I’d urge all those with a passion for the Cairngorms National Park to participate in this second stage consultation to help shape the detail of a fire management byelaw.”

Over the next 12 weeks, people who live, work in and visit the National Park are invited to give feedback by completing the online questions on the National Park website. The public can also submit their thoughts in writing or over the phone. The findings from this consultation will inform the development of the final fire byelaw.

Following the consultation, the Park Authority will assess responses and, in January 2025, will consider the final wording of the byelaw, which will then be submitted to Scottish Ministers.

More details on the process of the introduction of a fire byelaw can be found on the National Park website: cairngorms.co.uk/fires