Freedom of Information Request - Galloway National Park
Date: 27 May 2025
Our ref: SIR180129/A5168725
Information Request – Galloway National Park
Your Request
‘Please supply all advice and correspondence with Scottish Government on the subject of the possible National Park in Galloway, including the advice of the Reporter to Government’.
Our Response
NatureScot and Scottish Government staff have been in communications about various aspects of the potential national park. As part of that process NatureScot and Scottish Government must take into account the parliamentary processes and take the time to discuss issues in an open and safe space, to develop approaches, and take decisions. The disclosure of this information could damage future working relationships and inhibit internal discussions on sensitive issues. It is not in the public interest to jeopardise working relationships between public officials, or influence, for either good or bad the outcomes of a decision-making process by Scottish Government. Therefore, this information will be withheld under EIR Exception – 10(4)(e)(Internal Communications)
Please note, a ministerial announcement about the proposed Galloway National Park is expected to be made in the Scottish Parliament by the end of May 2025 (currently scheduled for 29th May). Our advice and accompanying reports will also be published before the start of the Parliamentary summer recess. Please see our National Parks page for updates.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
