South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has slammed Scottish Borders Council after hearing that the local authority is recommending councillors not to support plans for a national park in the region.

A report has said that council officers did not feel that a “compelling and cogent” case had been made for the park.

However, Colin Smyth has always fully backed the plans and has reiterated that a Scottish Borders National Park would bring a much needed economic boost for the local economy.

Colin Smyth said: “It is very disappointing to hear that Scottish Borders Council has recommended that plans to create a national park in the region not be supported. Scotland will have at least one new National Park in the next few years with all the economic benefits this will bring.

“It’s surprising that the council seem to think they don’t need those benefits in the Borders and it should happen elsewhere. That’s a real contrast with neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway Council where there is cross party unanimous backing for the Galloway National Park campaign.

“While this is the decision from officers, it is now up to councillors to make the final choice and I hope they can see just how much of an asset a national park would be. Even if they do I fear the report and recommendations of officers could prove damaging to the campaign for a Borders National Park and they should really have produced a report with a recommendation simply for councillors to decide rather than steer that decision.

“The southern part of the Borders in particular, which is the favoured area of the campaign for a Scottish Borders national park, is in pressing need of an economic boost.

“With easy access to the central belt and the north of England, a Borders national park would help to deliver that boost and bring in more visitors to the area.

“The community campaign in the Borders has worked tirelessly to show that there is real demand and a real appetite for a national park in the area, so it is a shame Scottish Borders Council officials don’t recognise this.”