The creation of a Campsie Fells Regional Park could generate £500 million for the area’s economy over 10 years, according to supporters of the project.

They base the claim on VisitScotland figures which estimated that the local economic contribution arising from people visiting the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park in Renfrewshire was almost exactly that sum over just seven years, suggesting that a similar set-up in the picturesque area north of Glasgow would bring equivalent benefits.

Supporters hope that regional park status would increase leisure, tourism and commercial opportunities, public access and the promotion of the Campsies, which are 15 minutes’ drive from the city, as national assets. It would also open up the hills to funding opportunities from various agencies.

Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham revealed the figures following a parliamentary question by SNP Central Scotland MSP Jamie Hepburn, who received the backing of seven cross-party parliamentary colleagues for a motion calling for the creation of Campsie Fells Regional Park.

Mr Hepburn’s move came as Stirling Council rejected proposals for a wind farm on what would be the expected boundaries of such a park.

Energy company npower renewables wanted to build a wind farm at Ballindalloch Muir, near Balfron, but the council’s planning panel rejected the proposal because of the environmental and visual impact the huge

turbines would have on the area’s landscape, which extends from the Carse of Stirling to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Locals have contacted The Herald to claim a park is unfolding by default, pointing to plans being progressed by the Forestry Commission in the area, which includes local consultation to ensure planting does not impact upon views in the area.

Representatives from East Dunbartonshire, Stirling, Falkirk and North Lanarkshire local authorities, Scottish Natural Heritage and Forestry Commission

Scotland have had a number of meetings to advance the regional park proposal.

The Campsies are home to picturesque villages including Killearn and Fintry, the Glengoyne Distillery, an abundance of walks, panoramic views, the Clachan of Campsie with its craft shops and historic graveyard, as well as scenic glens, peregrine falcons, mountain hares, the Carron Valley Reservoir, Forth and Clyde Canal and Antonine Wall.

One major stumbling block to the park’s creation could be the recession and lack of availability of time and resources to advance it, with some partners on the Campsie Fells Steering Group favouring a looser “green network”, where all agencies and authorities agree to protect and promote the hills, but without going for regional park status.

Ms Cunningham said a green network spanning the breadth of central Scotland has the potential to create jobs and improve communities, and is equal in national importance to a project such as the replacement Forth Road Bridge.

Mr Hepburn called for a “joined-up” approach to the running of the Campsies. He said: “The Campsie Fells are a stunningly beautiful part of our country and those of us who live in the vicinity know this better than any.

“The figures I’ve obtained from the Scottish Government clearly demonstrate the economic benefits the Clyde Murshiel Regional Park has brought to that area.

“I appreciate that some of the bodies involved in the discussions have expressed reservations about whether regional park status is necessary but, given the VisitScotland estimate of the contribution to the local economy by the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, it is a matter that is well worth continued discussion.

“The Campsie Fells are well located to be a successful regional park, as they are within commuting distance for a huge proportion of Scotland’s population.”

According to the VisitScotland figures, the respective annual contribution to the local economy from the Clyde Muirshiel park for the years 2002 to 2008 was £76.7m, £80.16m, £84.19m, £65m, £61.4m, £65.08m and £67.5m.

The Pentland Hills and Fife’s Lomond Hills were designated regional parks in 1986 but there is no similar data available for them.