Summary of the Process for Establishing a National Park

					Scottish Ministers consider the case for a National Park
	* Individuals and organisations may propose a National Park for an area, or be asked by Scottish Ministers to comment on the case for one

	Scottish Ministers make a statutory ‘proposal’ to establish a National Park in an area and invite a Reporter to advise on the ‘proposal’.
					Written proposals and requirements

					The Reporter undertakes a public consultation lasting for at least 12 weeks and prepares advice taking into account based on the views expressed during the consultation.
	Individuals and organisations contribute their views as part of the consultation process
									Public consultation document

	The Reporter advises Scottish Ministers and its advice is published
					Published advice

Ministers decide to hold a public enquiry

Scottish Ministers consider the Reporter’s advice (and findings of PLI if necessary) and prepare a draft designation order based on it

Individuals and organisations contribute their views as part of the consultation process

Enquiry Report

					Scottish Ministers undertake a public consultation on the draft designation order lasting at least 12 weeks
	Individuals and organisations contribute their views as part of the consultation process
									Public consultation document

	Scottish Ministers consider the consultation responses and revise the draft designation order. They also prepare a report of the views expressed during the consultation and how they have or have not been addressed in the revision of the designation order

	Scottish Ministers lay the draft designation order and consultation report before Parliament
					Designation order and consultation report

	Individuals and organisations can give their views to constituency MSPs and provide evidence to Parliamentary Committees				Parliament considers the draft designation order and consultation report

	Parliament approves or rejects the draft designation order
					A National Park is legally established

	A National Park Authority is established. Places are filled by direct elections, appointments by the Scottish Ministers and nominations by local authorities.   Individuals on the electoral role vote in direct elections. Individuals and organisations comment on the proposed appointments of Scottish Ministers

Notes:
Individuals and organisations include: public agencies, local authorities, community councils, voluntary bodies and those individuals and organisations who are representative of those who work or carry out business in the area to which the proposal relates.

Rather than appoint a reporter at Step 1, Scottish Ministers may chose to undertake the consultation on the proposal themselves.

The legislation also sets out a similar approach to revising designation orders (for example to amend the boundary to increase the size of the Park area) or withdrawing them.