CAMPING in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park could be restricted further under new proposals by the park’s board.

More than three years ago, the National Park Authority introduced the seasonal East Loch Lomond Camping bylaw, which banning unauthorised camping and alcohol. This was aimed at enhancing visitor experience.

The board is now looking to hold a consultation ahead of bringing in additional bylaws at two more area in response to littering and anti-social behaviour on the west side.

A report was agreed by the National Park Authority yesterday (Monday) detailing ‘resounding success’ of the existing bylaw system, which is delivered in partnership with Police Scotland and the Forestry Commission Scotland.

The operation invested in new facilities such as parking, camping, toilets, ranger and police presence, focused behaviour campaigns, and regulating where camping takes place.

Police say vandalism and reports of anti-social behaviour are said to be down 81 per cent in the regulated areas.

Further to this, the National Park Authority has been recording what it calls ‘entrenched problems’ experienced during the summer season at other ‘hot spot’ locations in the wider park area — including Luss — which are often left in a ‘poor and deteriorating state’.

Anti-social behaviour recorded includes littering, excessive noise, damage to the environment by cutting down live trees.

In response to the issues raised, it is proposed that camping management bylaws be introduced to West Loch Lomond/north east Loch Long and the wider Trossachs, as well as making minor boundary amendment to the existing East Loch Lomond zone.

The proposed rules would make it an offence to cause damage to the area and its wildlife and regulate where and when visitors can camp, for example in authorised site or by permit.

They would be in effect from March 1, to October 31, each year and apply to less than five per cent of the park’s 720 square miles.

A statement from the National Park said: “The proposals have been developed following a growing body of evidence of serious problems ranging from litter and fire damage to abandonment of entire campsites and summer-long caravan encampments in laybys. “The proposals are in response to a call for action from communities in the worst affected areas and build on measures which have successfully dealt with similar issues in east Loch Lomond.” “The proposals combine significant enhancements to the existing, dedicated camping provision and byelaws to address antisocial camping on and around the National Park’s most over-used lochshores. These include west Loch Lomond and the wider Trossachs lochs. The proposals also include a slight extension to the camping management zone in east Loch Lomond.

The proposed bylaws would be part of a range of measures to improve the visitor experience in three designated ‘management zones’ including an estimated £10m public/private sector investment in camping facilities over the next five years.

This would be complemented by continuing work with Police Scotland to enforce existing and new legislation, and continued education on respect for the National Park with a focus on responsible camping.” Board members were asked to agree a 12-week public consultation to take place between October, 13, 2014, and January 12, 2015, as the next step in achieving the National Park Partnership Plan vision.