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Introduction: Loch Lomond First Interim Report

In addition to a substantial literature dealing with aspects of the scientific, archaeological, ecclesiastical and social history of Loch Lomond, some half-dozen publications have appeared in the post-war years which contribute, in one way or another, to the planning of the area's future. There are three inter-related reasons as to why yet another report is required. First, none of the existing reports were adopted formally by the local authorities, nor did they make sufficiently comprehensive recommendations for the practical fulfilment of management policies aimed at conservation and controlled development. Second, prior to the Countryside (Scotland ) Act 1967, planning legislation lacked important measures for the implementation of such policies. Third, on certain points of detail all the reports require updating and infilling.

Nevertheless, even at the outset of this latest study, it must be recognised that it too is certain to have a successor. Factors within and around Loch Lomond will change, requiring new insights and fresh visions (so the plan must encompass the practice of continual re-examination and the principle of limited flexibility). Of more immediate importance, and notwithstanding the significant opportunities afforded by recent planning legislation, there is still much that we shall wish to propose, the execution of which will be more difficult or altogether impossible until further legislation Is enacted. There is little doubt, for example, that the comprehensive planning for the management of areas of the size of Loch Lomond must ultimately be able to have formal recognition within an officially accepted hierarchy of 'park' provision for Scotland and the fact that we shall propose a scheme for voluntary collaborative action to the same end will in no way diminish the need for parliamentary support within this decade.

The authors of the report comprise officials of the countryside commission for Scotland and the County Planning Departments of the County Council of Dunbartonshire and Stirlingshire. Although the formation of the group in 1972 arose out of quite specific discussions about replacing the 1948 Loch Lomond-Trossachs National Park Direction Area by an Area of Special Planning control under Section 9 of the 1967 countryside Act for the reasons given in 1.1 above some such group would have had to b established eventually and we consider the NPDA-ASPC question mainly of significance in the effect it has had on timing.