National Trust for Scotland launches its Holyrood election manifesto
Politicians should find means of using heritage to improve people’s wellbeing, a major conservation charity has said.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has drawn up a manifesto ahead of the 5 May Holyrood poll which asks the new intake of MSPs to do more to promote and encourage the enjoyment of the country’s history and see it as an asset to make lives better.
NTS says its document - A better Scotland, for all of Scotland - is based on its 85 years of experience in managing some of the nation’s most significant buildings and landscapes.
Among the proposals in the manifesto are the creation of a ‘passport to nature’ scheme which would guarantee that all 8–15 year-olds would have the opportunity to visit a national park or nature reserve.
We are calling on all candidates to consider innovative ways in which our rich heritage can be harnessed
Communities, say NTS, should be given an equal right of appeal in planning processes, in order to offset the advantages of finance and legal advice that developers enjoy and there should be conservation-led regeneration which recognises the value of retaining historic buildings in order to provide places that are enjoyable to live and work in but also support tourism and economic development.
NTS head of policy Diarmid Hearns said: “Almost exactly 85 years ago, when the first, practical steps were taken to establish a National Trust for Scotland, the vision was to enable permanent protection of important lands and buildings for the benefit of the nation.
“This was a far-reaching ideal, which has just as much resonance today as it did between the two world wars.
“However, we now know that places like those we care for can offer much more than simple enjoyment – they can have positive benefits for our economic, cultural and social wellbeing, as well as our health and fitness.
“That is why we are calling on all party political candidates to pay attention to these and consider innovative ways in which our rich heritage can be harnessed for the good of this and future generations.”
