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National Park bosses reject parallels with Aberdeen on camping ban

A north-east travellers camp
A north-east travellers camp

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority has distanced itself from comparisons drawn by Aberdeen City Council leaders on plans for a bylaw to restrict overnight camping.

The Labour-led coalition wants to introduce local legislation to combat problems with unauthorised gypsy-traveller encampments in the city.

The administration believes the precedent set by Scottish Ministers for a bylaw in East Loch Lomond can be a yardstick for similar measures in Aberdeen.

However, the parks authority has issued a statement which said its situation is “very different” to the one the council is facing.

A spokeswoman said: “We have a statutory responsibility to strike a balance between conservation, rural development and visitor experience in what is one of Scotland’s most sensitive and visited natural landscapes.

“The bylaws at East Loch Lomond referenced by the council were introduced after many years of trying other approaches to tackle antisocial camping in our most pressured visitor hotspots and address pressure on the wider countryside, and in conjunction with investment in dedicated camping facilities to promote more sustainable levels of camping in the National Park.

“Despite these differences, we would be happy to share our experience of this process to assist where relevant to Aberdeen City Council’s particular issues.”

The administration successfully passed a motion at full council on Wednesday instructing the chief executive to hold talks with the park authority and report back on what options might be open to the council in Aberdeen.

The main opposition SNP group tabled an amendment to take no further action on the bylaw plan, but were voted down by 27-13.

Labour group secretary Willie Young welcomed the offer of assistance from the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority, however.

He said: “It is gratifying to see that those involved within the Loch Lomond bylaws are willing to share their experiences with us.

“Residents in Aberdeen will reflect upon the experience in Loch Lomond has had with anti social behaviour and how a bylaw such as that obtained by Loch Lomond could help Aberdeen tackle similar problems. It is now time for the Scottish Government to act.”