Your Park Transforming our lochshores

Your Park Transforming our lochshores

Running order Camping byelaws summary of final changes Wording Zones Camping development plan update Operational planning preparation Systems design Resourcing Signage Communications planning update Positioning our recommendations Positioning Your Park Communications Plan phases and tactics Board papers Proposed structure and appendices

Summary of final changes: Byelaw wording

Byelaw wording: final changes Byelaw Sleeping overnight in a vehicle Nuisance and damage Litter and waste Definitions Position at March Board session Clearer wording to clarify when and where this is or is not permitted. Combine and reworded with a tighter focus on damage and harm to wildlife (flora and fauna). Delete byelaw; litter and waste issues will be covered by new FPN powers. Final recommendation New wording and associated definitions Removed altogether Removed altogether Landowner rights (a) Connected persons definition added Laybys (d &e) public road and roads authority definitions further clarified

Final recommendation: Camping management zones

Management zones: Final recommendations

Camping Development Plan update

Sustainable levels of camping in the zones Peak levels of use are 600+ tents/pitches (per night) across all zones on a busy weekend in summer This is unsustainable and we have no plans to provide at this level The planned managed provision will keep levels of camping activity to a normal and sustainable level Our planned provision will provide capacity for up to 300 tents/pitches (per night) in line with our a sustainable level of camping Subject to annual review and adjustment this will deliver a sustainable level of camping in the zones

Providing camping permits Provide the opportunity for a wild camping experience within a camping management zone: No facilities investment Within a designated permit area Permit system managed by Park Authority Review permit numbers annually

Benefits of a permit scheme Creates significant camping volume at low visitor price point and deliverable upon introduction of byelaws Partnerships with landowners Could meet normal demand for camping within the management zones before additional site provision is created Opportunity in the permit conditions of use to ensure responsible camping by conveying responsible camping messages to support behaviour changes Provides flexibility to raise/lower numbers subject to impacts of use on site recovery

Providing camping pitches Provide a variety of site-based camping experiences within a management zone: Range of basic facilities Within a designated site Operated by private sector, landowners or the Park Authority For sites that we invest in, visitor booking includes a specific pitch on a site access to a car parking space access to facilities

Year 1: Provision of permits and pitches Year 1 (2016/17) West Loch Lomond East Loch Lomond Trossachs (North & West) Camping permits (tents) Camping pitches (tents) 10-20 10 20 80-120 20 20 (Sallochy) 40 (including Lubnaig)

Pitch example:

South Loch Earn Proposal at this stage to provide both permits and pitches on Ardvorlich Estate land Initial landowner discussions have been positive One site for camping pitches has been looked at in some detailprovide c.10-20 pitches Area for permitted camping also considered c 35 permits

South Loch Earn

Potential south Loch Earn campsite

Firkin Point

Loch Chon

Motorhomes Provision focused on existing public or private car parks in villages and countryside Some provision of motor homes bays in key areas where management issues are a challenge (north Loch Earn) Aspiring to French 'Aires' type model promote network Growing demand for small, interesting and town-based overnight parking - European standards Over time, further opportunity to develop a more offerings with partners Important to understand user needs and levels of demand Economic advantage and opportunity for towns and villages from additional business

Summary The National Park Authority will enable a range of camping opportunities to meet normal demand Critical landowner discussions ongoing and positive The first 3 years of the byelaw implementation estimated investment of c 1.9m Board Paper will only be able to provide an outline of these proposals

Ranger patrolling and operational planning

Operational preparations Systems design Resourcing Signage Patrolling & Rotas Staffing plan Design and procure Camping Permit scheme Contravention recording Training Partner commitments Implementation Data collection

Communicating Your Park

Your Park Communications phases Pre-Board papers Board papers live, but pre- Board Board meeting and decision Ministerial consultation phase Summer season Beyond 1. Your Park camping consultation: (a) We asked, we listened. (b) Here are our recommendations Reactive response (if needed) 2. Your Park is our commitment to encourage everyone to make the most of the outdoors in the National Park ONGOING: Sharing good news stories from across all the great work the National Park Authority is involved in

Positioning Your Park Consultation recommendation phase and longer term

Positioning Your Park: Consultation recommendations 1. Conservation of our treasured and iconic lochshores is at the heart of our recommendations 2(a) Damage is caused by relentless pressure (not just antisocial behaviour) 2(b) Current levels of lochshore pressure are unmanaged and unsustainable 3(a) We are determined to provide a better experience that encourages people to make the most of the National Park 3(b) Our recommendations: Manage demand Influence behaviour change Encourage people to visit

Positioning Your Park: Longer term Your Park is our long term commitment to encourage everyone to make the most of the outdoors in the National Park Outdoor learning & education Promoting access & recreation Providing a better outdoor experience Promoting responsible behaviour Improved facilities Improved visitor resources Ranger service Volunteer Rangers Operation Ironworks

Communications planning: A phased approach

Phase 1: pre-board papers Communications phase Messaging Communication tools Board member resources Pre-Board papers going live Holding statement: **No officer/board member to comment Strategy Group publicly at this stage** meeting 1 st April Officers are busy analysing consultation responses and will present a recommendation to our Board in the spring. Bespoke letters going out to Community Councils ahead of Board papers to confirm which of their amends we are taking on Behind-the-scenes Comms team to Comms team liaison with partner organisations to ensure a joined up approach to any communications Community spokespeople being approached and briefed Opportunity to brief trusted media contacts just ahead of papers going live Comms team available to deal with any queries Board members have. Your Park briefings 13 th & 15 th April

Phase 1: pre-board papers Preparation and sharing our good news

Communications approach Phase 2: Board papers live Communications phase Messaging Communication tools Board member resources Board papers live but prior to Board meeting **No officer/board member to comment publicly at this stage** Having considered the consultation responses received, officers have made a recommendation to our Board to approve proposals that included amended camping byelaws and management zones. Progress on camping development plans outlining our proposed investment in improving camping infrastructure in the management zones will also be presented to the Board. The Board will consider these at the Board meeting on 27 th April. Board papers and appendices Holding statement for any media enquiries o Direct to key quote from Board paper in absence of any ability for Officers to comment Community/business spokespeople available if media are interested ahead of the Board Blog x 2 posted onto Your Park website o Summary of Board paper/recommendations o Easily digestible Q&A to address key arguments Briefing and Q&A for Board members (including lines to take) posted onto Board microsite in advance of papers going live. Comms team available to deal with any queries Board members have. Board bulletin on Fri 24 th April to include any relevant media coverage?

Phase 2: Board papers live Positioning our recommendations Briefing and Q&A for Members via microsite Board papers & appendices online Your questions answered 2 x blogs online Board papers live No comment from Officers or Board Members at this stage Press release issued Recommendations explained Supportive quotes from key partners in release Community spokespeople available for interview

Communications approach Phase 3: Board meeting and decision Communications phase Messaging Communication tools Board member resources Board meeting and decision Today, the National Park Authority Board gave approval for officers to present a set of camping byelaws and management zones to Scottish Government Ministers for approval. **Recommend Linda McKay as spokesperson once Board decision is made.** Blog and social media promotion to explain Board decision and what happens next. Informal briefing ahead of full Board session. Updated Q&A available in hard copy on the day. Your Park website updated accordingly. Reactive media handling handled and coordinated by The BIG Partnership on behalf of the Park Authority. National Park PR agency (The BIG Partnership) attending the Board meeting to coordinate any media enquiries. Any relevant media coverage shared via Board microsite.

Phase 3: Board meeting Positioning Your Park & decision Social media promotion Updated blog Appointed PR agency attend meeting/handle all media requests Board meeting & decision Board Business session briefing and updated Q&A Only official comment to come from Linda McKay or Gordon Watson Press release issued (upon Board decision) Decision & next steps confirmed Community spokespeople available for interview

Communications approach Phase 4: Ministerial consultation Communications phase Messaging Communication tools Board member resources Ministerial consultation phase Following years of experience in tackling issues faced on and around the Parks busiest lochshores and having consulted on the Your Park proposals, the National Park Authority s Board approved recommendations to present to Scottish Government ministers a set of camping byelaws in a management zone covering 3.7% of the National Park. The Scottish Government will now conduct their own 30-day consultation on these recommendations. Blog to confirm next steps and to direct to Scottish Government consultation Social media Careful reactive media handling and press statements (if necessary) >>Ensuring no misconceptions Any relevant blogs, statements or media coverage posted onto Board microsite. Board Q&A kept updated throughout Comms team on hand to deal with any queries/media enquiries

Phase 4: Submission to Ministers Sensitive media handling Sharing good news from across the work we do Social media promotion No proactive comment/discussion at this stage Updated blog Ministerial consultation Reactive media handling only Confirmation of submission to SG & consultation link Ensuring no misconceptions

Summer season and beyond Co-ordination and promotion of good news Ensuring the wider Your Park messaging filters through our communications Communications focused in the run up to and after busy weekends Better co-ordinated communication of what we/police Scotland are doing Real-time /almost live reporting of what we ve experienced Making better use of our Ranger service being on the ground Sharing their experiences Both positive experiences, and more disappointing scenes witnessed Printed materials Refreshing RESPECT campaign Providing Ranger Service & Volunteer Rangers with the necessary tools to deliver Your Park messaging

Board paper and appendices Proposed structure & content

Board paper Proposed structure & content Introduction and context setting Reiterating our Vision with its foundations in the National Park Partnership Plan Our obligations as a National Park Authority To protect and enhance this special place Reiterating conservation being at the heart of our proposals Your Park Camping Consultation Reminder of the process Summary of responses detail provided in appended Consultation Report Themes coming through consultation responses and our response to each of these Your Park our wider commitments Continued investment in education and inclusion, encouraging outdoor recreation, Ranger patrolling and coordinated working with the Police via Operation Ironworks Your Park recommendations following consultation Summary of Camping Development Plan aims and key outputs detail provided in appended update on Camping Development Plan progress Summary of byelaw amendments and tables to support the explanation of changes made detail provided in appended full byelaws Summary of zoning amendments and maps to support explanation of changes made detail provided in appended full zone mapping Summary of Recommendations to National Park Board

Board paper Proposed appendices Evidence Summary (Ranger stats and Police info) Consultation Report Camping Development (update) Byelaws wording Byelaw Management Zone Maps