Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has announced a consultation, called ‘Your Park’, proposing measures to protect the its unique environment.

According to Park chiefs, they have evidence showing that the natural beauty and economy of the Park is being severely damaged by over-use of the area’s most popular lochshores.

This is by high volumes of visitors and anti-social camping.

Following discussions with local communities and businesses in the worst affected areas, the National Park is proposing solutions to tackle serious problems ranging from litter and fire damage to abandonment of entire campsites and summer-long caravan encampments in laybys.

Fiona Logan, chief executive of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: “The National Park is within an hour’s drive of more than 50 per cent of Scotland’s population and this gives us specific problems, which have been escalating.

“The package of measures we are proposing has been developed in conjunction with partners and local communities and reflects our wholesale commitment to dramatically improving the experience of the Park for residents and visitors, whether they camp, or come for the day to walk, swim, kayak, or simply enjoy a picnic.

“The board of the National Park Authority approved consultation on proposals to introduce a package of measures in two new ‘management zones’: west Loch Lomond and the wider Trossachs area, alongside minor changes to the existing, successful zone at east Loch Lomond. The zones amount to less than five per cent of the National Park.

“Three years ago the authority and its partners introduced measures including successful, new camping facilities and byelaws to manage camping pressures. This combination has transformed the area, resulting in an 81 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour with the local economy significantly benefitting.” The proposed measures include a projected £10m of public/private sector investment in camping facilities over the next five years and continuing education on respect for the National Park with a focus on responsible camping.

Kevin Lilburn, chairman of the East Loch Lomond Visitor Management Group, added: “Previously we suffered some sort of incident at my home pretty much every weekend in the summer, including litter, theft, vandalism and verbal or even physical intimidation.

“Since the byelaws have been introduced, there have been none. Not one. That speaks for itself and official statistics tell a similar story.

“We have gone from a situation where my neighbours and I dreaded sunny days to one in which we can relax, and happily share the area with responsibly behaved visitors.” The National Park Authority has identified potential sites for additional provision for camping, campervans and motorhomes and is asking “individuals, landowners, businesses, community enterprises and charities” who may be interested in setting up or running new facilities to get in touch via the Your Park consultation website www.thisisyourpark.org.uk.

The formal consultation on the proposed investment runs until January 12, 2015.