A SCOTTISH Government agency has been slammed for its handling of a consultation into a proposed new national park straddling parts of Ayrshire.
A consultation was launched earlier this month, with NatureScot carrying out public events for people to have their say on the plans.
The consultation focuses on what the potential new park might consist of - from its boundary to its board makeup, and even what the park could be called.
Areas of Dumfries and Galloway, and East and South Ayrshire could be incorporated into parts of the new park, if plans are moved ahead.
Those in favour say it has the possibility to bring job opportunities to the area, as well as improve nature trails.
However, a campaign group staunchly against the plans says that NatureScot's handling of public events is "heavily biased".
She said: “We know the questionnaire is utterly biased in favour of a park, and that NatureScot is entirely unsuitable to run a fair, honest and balanced consultation, but to take what is a blatant pro-park presentation into schools is completely unacceptable when we are not being afforded the same opportunity.
“The presentation slide pack for schools is even more biased than the questionnaire, which we didn’t think was possible.
“But for NatureScot to then actively encourage children to participate in the questionnaire is beyond the pale.
"Even when schools run mock elections, they put up arguments from all sides, but this is the appropriation of children to achieve a political goal. It’s like something out of Red China.”
Despite the strong comments, NatureScot says that the public events are being held to share their views on the park - whether the views are in favour or not.
The consultation will be open for responses until February 14, with NatureScot expected to make its recommendations to ministers by April 28.
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