The City of Edinburgh Council has announced a public consultation on the development of a new 10-year Strategic Plan for Pentland Hills Regional Park.

The Pentland Hills Regional Park (PHRP) Service is seeking feedback on its draft framework and implementation programme as it seeks to balance recreation and enjoyment with economic demands and the conservation of the regional park's natural and built heritage assets.

Cllr Neil Gardiner, Convenor of Pentland Hills Regional Park Joint Committee, said: "The Pentland Hills Regional Park is now 35 years old and the residents of Edinburgh, Midlothian and West Lothian are fortunate to have such a wonderful green oasis on their doorsteps.

"As convenor of the Regional Park Joint Committee I am pleased to announce that a new 10-year Strategic Management Plan has been drafted for the park. All those involved in enjoying and managing the Regional Park have an opportunity to give us their views on the vision and future priority actions. We are particularly keen to hear from local residents, stakeholders and visitors from the surrounding areas so will be setting up several opportunities for people to feed back their thoughts.

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"The Pentland Hills Regional Park Service works to enhance public access, with the physical and mental health benefits this brings to all park users. To achieve this, additional investment for the future is needed. Much of the park is farm land where local families live and work. The Service works closely in partnership with farmers and also 'the Friends of the Pentlands' volunteers who provide invaluable support. Together with the draft Strategic Management Plan, the Service is in the process of developing a Heritage Lottery Fund bid to assist the improvement of the 100km path network in the park.

"Well before the Regional Park was designated, like many others at the time, my late mother, who was a primary school teacher in the inner city, occasionally at weekends would take her class up into the hills for walks. Nowadays the 'Curriculum for Excellence' promotes the benefits of children engaging positively with their surroundings reinforcing the importance of this special place.

"Working with partners and stakeholders we need to build the case for a sustainable future for the park.

"On a personal level it brings me great pleasure to bring forward this draft Strategic Management Plan for the Pentland Hills Regional Park which is essential for the successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid to improve the path network."

Residents and stakeholders are being invited to give their feedback via the consultation hub until 31 January, with feedback being used to shape the final document which will be approved at the PHRP Joint Committee in February 2020.

(MH/JG)