At a workshop held on 24th March 2026 for Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Fiona Campbell MBE delivered a recorded message highlighting the urgent need for a balanced and evidence-led approach to addressing housing pressures.
Fiona emphasised that while housing challenges within the National Park are real and growing, they are complex and cannot be attributed to a single cause. She stressed the importance of clearly defining the problem before implementing solutions, warning that disproportionate or poorly targeted interventions risk unintended consequences – including the loss of local businesses and increased pressure on already stretched local services.
Her message underscored that the evidence within the National Park must be the starting point for any policy response. Current trends indicate a rise in second homes and empty properties, alongside a reduction in economically active, regulated self-catering accommodation. This shift, she noted, has implications not only for housing availability but also for the sustainability of local economies that rely on tourism.
Fiona called for policy measures to focus on the primary drivers of housing pressure – particularly second homes and empty homes -rather than disproportionately targeting one sector. She highlighted that self-catering accommodation represents a small proportion of the overall housing stock, while playing a vital role in supporting jobs and local businesses.
The importance of proportionality was a central theme of her remarks. Fiona urged that any planning or regulatory interventions should be place-based, tailored to the specific needs of communities within the National Park, and subject to regular review. She also stressed the value of ongoing partnership working with industry to ensure policies are both effective and sustainable.
Drawing on wider insights, Fiona’s contribution aligns with lessons highlighted in the Lisbon case study and accompanying briefing paper, which demonstrate the risks of unbalanced interventions and the importance of evidence-led, collaborative approaches to managing housing pressures in high-demand destinations.
The ASSC continues to advocate for practical, data-driven solutions that protect communities while supporting the local economy, ensuring that the rural communities remain vibrant places to live, work, and visit.