Draft National Tourism Development Plan Public Consultation 2013 Tourism Development Plan for Scotland Questionnaire We would like your views on this Plan and, in particular, your comments on opportunities which you are aware of to help stimulate growth in the visitor economy. Please review the following questions. 1. Comments on the Plan: Please briefly raise any issue(s) you may have regarding the Plan and, if relevant, propose solution(s) which you consider would remedy the issue(s). It would be helpful if you provide any text changes you would like to see in the Plan, making reference to the relevant paragraph number. You can provide your comments in a separate statement and attach it to this form if you wish. Section 1.19 - will the plan directly make reference to the new Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan. How will this be supported from a financial perspective? Will there be another tranche of "shovel ready projects" that will appear onto a capital investment list depending on finance availability? John Swinney s list which was published in April only had road upgrades for D&G on it (A75 and M74) Link below http://www.scotland.gov.uk/news/releases/2012/04/shovelready27042012 Section 1.28 - this is where there would be an opportunity to ask for a greater emphasis on rural vs urban support in the development strategy going forward. There should be recognition that greater financial support for investors into rural areas needs to be addressed. It could be a public/private investment in the same vain as the PPF sites for government buildings whereby they received a percentage of funding from public purse and then were run by commercial operators under a leasing system? Section 1.33 - does this mean that any development opportunities that are not outlined in either the LDP or Tourism Development Plan may not receive the support they require to attract investors or government support through the planning process? Section 1.34 states The plan will inform statutory development plans and be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications for new facilities which support the visitor economy. Please insert the word could before be a material in this sentence. Page 13 Mapping of Area Tourism Partnerships - Currently Destination Dumfries & Galloway (DD&G) are tagged as an Area Tourism Partnership but they are in fact a Destination Management Organisation. The partnership is tri-part including Dumfries & Galloway Council, VisitScotland and DD&G. This needs to be rectified. Page 12 section 2.57 last sentence reads Rural resorts tend to depend on the quality of the environment for locational choice but these resorts can help manage and sustain existing designed landscapes controlled by these resorts. It is unclear what is meant by this and use of plain English would help clarify this point. Page 25, Plan 1, Travelling through Scotland no mention of train links between Dumfries Glasgow or Lockerbie Edinburgh RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM 1
Page 27, Plan 2, No development opportunities are highlighted for the South of Scotland please see comments further on and incorporate into this plan. Page 29, Plan 3, What to see and do can include the following for Dumfries & Galloway: Star of Caledonia, Gretna Berthing and pontoon opportunities to support the development of Sailing and marine leisure in Stranraer, Loch Ryan and the Solway coast Marine wildlife watching at Mull of Galloway development opportunity Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Galloway Forest Park Dark Skies Section 2.43 - particularly relevant in the south of Scotland where there is a key feeder market all the way down to the midlands. Section 2.52 reference also Dumfries & Galloway. Funding support for the refurbishment of existing key caravan and camping sites to bring them up to meet consumer demands and therefore protecting rural economies. Section 2.55 - Dumfries and Galloway has the same depth of product offering if not more as defined in the plan - "destinations where a collection of activities such as eating, sleeping and recreation" could take place and should therefore appear on the resort development list. Forest Tourism in England has been a key success behind Center Parcs and this style of family resort development could be a potential opportunity. Section 2.62 Why is there no mention of Dumfries & Galloway here? Where has the data come from for development? Scottish Development International? Section 2.74 Development and investment of a 400 bed stock property could be a game changer for Dumfries. Section 2.117 could also include kayaking in Dumfries & Galloway Section 2.138 Kiroughtree investment could be mentioned here with additional resort opportunities identified around family style resort parks? Section 3.2 - the local plans tend to focus on what assets we currently have and how we are going to provide routes to market. Within the context of this document should we also now incorporate the development and investment opportunities within the LDP and National Tourism Development Plan into these local strategies? Section 3.22 - Recent Biosphere designation, combined with Dark Sky Park status, Galloway Forest Park and the National Scenic Areas are building the case for region to be considered for Scotland's third National Park. Overall, greater clarity is needed as to how the plan will support development of poorly recognised parts of Scotland s tourism offer to enable them to perform better, in particular, how support will be given to fragile rural economies, dependant on tourism and vulnerable to negative changes in demand. 2. Comments on the Spatial Framework: Do you have additional actions which will impact on RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM 2
growth in the visitor economy at a strategic (area wide) level, and should therefore be included in the Spatial Framework to 2020 (Table 1)? You can provide your comments in a separate statement and attach it to this form if you wish. In doing so, please make reference to the relevant part of the Customer Journey, set out in Chapter 2 of the Plan, that you are commenting on. It would be useful if you can provide this commentary in the following format topic; description of the action required; reference to the overall area within which the proposal would apply (if you can attach a plan this would be helpful), as well as an outline of the benefits arising if this action is acted on (e.g. the expected increase in jobs). Table 1: Spatial Framework to 2020 * Comments with no reference or page number, relate directly to the table for Dumfries & Galloway on page 8, annex 4 of the plan Travelling to and within Scotland Ref. 1(i). Enhanced rail services on the West Coast Main Line and the Glasgow and South Western Line, including direct rail services to Prestwick Airport - the potential role of Prestwick Airport is a serious omission from the plan. Potential developments for a regional airport at Carlisle would also impact Dumfries & Galloway and the South of Scotland. Ref. 1(ii). Under heading Participating Partners it would make sense to include Ferry Operators such as Stena and P&O, especially when reference is made under Description of Proposal to port and cruise terminals. Ref. 1 (iii). A709 Corridor Fastlink. This would replace A75 as the trunk road link between Dumfries and M74. The corridor delivers journey time advantage for both northward and southward journeys (unlike A75 which is southward biased), and would be some 12 miles shorter. SWestrans aspiration is that this should be dual carriageway in harmony with the Scottish Government s aspiration for Scotland s other regional capitals. Would this be an area to also mention the Gretna Landmark Project Star of Caledonia? As well as further improvements to A75 beyond those already programmed, improvements are also needed on A77 and A76 trunk roads to enhance visitor access. Region wide Rail Stations Strategy; including new rail stations at locations across the region: Thornhill, Eastriggs, Glenluce, and Beattock. Thornhill and Glenluce in particular would improve access to deep rural destinations; Stranraer waterfront and town centre public realm improvements including public rail / bus interchange hub and walking and cycling enhancements; Region wide cycling/walking and sustainable travel projects including completion of the National Cycle Network (National Cycle Route 73 Newton Stewart / Cairnryan); and an East-West cycle route along Southern Upland Way Corridor ( Southern Upland Cycleway in development). Rural fares should be regulated to ensure that residents and visitors to the area are not unfairly disadvantaged. Parts of Scotland with aggressive growth plans need to be protected by Scottish Government to allow them to realise their potential. Can we reference the 2011 Rail Consultation Report which states: According to recent research 15% of UK visitors to Scotland arrive by train. As the consultation document notes, demand for ScotRail passenger services has increased by 25.5% over the last 7 years and this demand is expected to continue to grow - a significant proportion of this demand RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM 3
is likely to be from domestic visitors traveling around Scotland, or from international visitors choosing to explore the country once they are here. In more rural areas or areas in which mountain biking or recreational cycling are important to locals and the local economy, providing bike-racks / storage facilities would greatly improve the consumer experience. Other facilities in increasing demand include Wi-Fi availability on all services. Where to stay Ref. 2(ii), (iii) Should also include Dumfries & Galloway Ref. 2(iv) Potential here to include Conference Dumfries Developments Dumfries & Galloway offers a great location for a Center Parcs style development which could offer resort style accommodation. Potential development and investment opportunities exist within the Crichton development. D&G now houses one of the best and newest NHS training hospitals in Scotland and there are also academic conference opportunities available through the network and integrated style of the Crichton Institute. A public/private sector investment into a purpose built 400 bed hotel/hostel/student accommodation facility which could also double up as a flagship hospitality training school could be a fantastic opportunity for the region. Business Tourism is also a very lucrative potential growth market if there were enough beds in the immediate locality of Easterbrook Hall. The Crichton could also benefit from having additional floor space added in to complement the main plenary region and therefore offering the ability to attract 300-400 delegate conferences with exhibition requirements from the north of England market. What to see and do Ref. 3(iii). Please include under Description of Proposal support for Stranraer marine leisure destination and include local authority under heading Participating Partners. Ref.3(v). Please include under Development of tourism facilities at specific gateways the heading: Star of Caledonia cross border landmark attraction at Gretna We should have the Dumfries & Galloway Regional Tourism Strategy 2011 2016 referenced here rather than Ayrshire and Arrans 2012/2017 strategy. Further development of the tourism product development strategy needs to be undertaken before conclusive actions are taken. The plan highlighted potential developments but did not go into further depth. The value of mountain biking related tourism to the south of Scotland in 2011 was 11m (up 276,915 on the 2007 indexed level) Infrastructure investment to expand the leisure cycling offering is key to the on going growth in this sector. Potential investment opportunities exist for Forest Style resort accommodation akin to Center Parcs exists in Dumfries & Galloway. Should there be mention of Star of Caledonia Landmark Project as a "Gateway to Scotland" project? Should there also be mention of smaller specific investment projects to ear-mark future funding? RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM 4
3. Comments on Development Opportunities: The Plan is seeking to list key opportunities and actions which would help make up a local strategy for the visitor economy for each planning authority in Scotland (refer to Annex 4 of the Plan). Any information about additional opportunities is welcome and the following would be useful - a brief description of the project; its location (attach plan if possible), its timescale to deliver; its indicative capital value (to the nearest 100,000); the additional jobs which could be created; and any key action which is needed to secure this project. You can provide your comments in a separate statement if you wish. * Comments have been included in the themes as outlined above in section 2 Annex 4 - Specifically request that table entitled Dumfries & Galloway be amended to reflect comments below (section 4). 4. For planning authorities only: This Plan is seeking to secure substantial growth in the visitor economy up to 2020. In addition to your comments on the above questions, any comments on how the development plan process could provide support to stimulating growth in the visitor economy would be welcome. You can provide your comments in a separate statement if you wish. Comments from Development Planning: Investment will be encouraged to strengthen Dumfries s role as Regional Capital. Dumfries Town Centre, Crichton Quarter and Whitesands river frontage are areas which are recognised as being key to the overall position and performance of Dumfries. Investment will be required to support these development aims/projects. Dumfries Town Centre proposed extension to include site DFS.TC1 at Brooms Road to include town centre uses such as a mid-sized supermarket, offices or commercial leisure use. The Crichton Quarter is to become a nationally and internationally recognised beacon for knowledge and innovation based sustainable development. Stranraer Waterfront Urban Design Strategy and Masterplan will become supplementary guidance to the Local Development Plan and seeks to create a mixed use development which will support the overall ambition of the town; to reposition Stranraer and Loch Ryan as a distinctive and successful marine leisure destination. The regeneration proposals set out the vision to develop an attractive seaside town and a high quality service hub for residents, business and visitors. To achieve this, public, private and community partnerships will be required to attract investment. Stranraer waterfront development is to include a supermarket to help the regeneration of the town centre. Gretna, Lockerbie and Annan form the GLA Regeneration corridor following the closure of Chapelcross Nuclear Power Station. Gretna, Lockerbie and Annan masterplans will become supplementary guidance to the Local Development Plan to support the regeneration of these areas. Gretna and Annan masterplans have been published and are currently out for public RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM 5
consultation to be adopted as SG s. The Lockerbie is at finalised draft stage and should be out for public consultation summer 2013 to be adopted as an SG. These masterplans include projects to enhance the tourism product; public buildings, shop frontages and areas of public realm, all of which will improve the tourism product offered. In Dumfries and Galloway, there are 3 National Scenic Areas (Nith Estuary, the East Stewartry Coast and the Fleet Valley) designated for their outstanding scenery. Management Strategies for each NSA are in place (adopted as supplementary guidance for our Local Development Plan) which help to inform decisions safeguarding these nationally important landscapes. One of the aims of the strategies is to encourage enjoyment of the NSAs where it is consistent with conserving and enhancing the environment, particularly where it plays a role in assisting economic and social opportunity. The implementation of the NSA Management Strategies is a performance indicator in the Council's Single Outcome Agreement. The Proposed LDP contains a specific policies on ED11 Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere which supports the designation and aims of the Biosphere and ED12 Dark Sky Park which supports and safeguards the designation against future developments incorporating excessive levels of light pollution. As the Dark Sky Park is a international tourism asset for Scotland, and the Biosphere has the potential of supporting tourism in the region, both of these should be reflected within the National Tourism Development Plan. Proposed LDP Policy ED10: Tourism supports the provision of tourism facilities and a diverse range of types of tourism accommodation with greater opportunities for the location of such including being; an integral part of a tourist attraction, facility or outdoor recreation facility or situated within an established woodland area to be retained as part of the overall development. Active Travel and Green Networks LDP Policy supports safeguarding and improvements to open space and the wider green network, as well as active transport networks (including access routes such as paths and cycle routes which encourage physical activity and recreational opportunities as well as enabling sustainable travel). These factors support visitors wishing to participate in active pursuits and also contribute to enhancing biodiversity and quality of the environment, all with important tourism benefits. The Dumfries and Galloway Forestry and Woodland Strategy is to become Supplementary Guidance (SG) which will highlight the importance of the role forest parks for tourism and also the role that forests and woodlands take in providing for recreation in general. This SG is due for public consultation Summer/Autumn 2013. Forestry access routes open to the public are a huge tourism asset for recreational use in the region, especially for cycling and walking. LDP Overarching Policy 2 (OP2) Design Quality of New Development and its corresponding Supplementary Guidance of the same title to be produced summer 2013, Policy HE1 Historic Environment and Policy HE2 Conservation Areas all support the principles within the draft Tourism Plan section 2.150 (p.22). These policies reinforce quality of the built environment, which in turn, add value to the tourism product / experience. All of the above factors contribute to supporting the overall tourism product for visitors to Dumfries and Galloway and we would ask for them to be included within the National Tourism Development Plan. Please also see comments attached from SWESTRANS RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM 6
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