Background
Why is there a proposal to establish a National Park in the Mourne area?
Due to its natural beauty, the Mourne landscape is coming under increasing pressure. More and more people want to live in the area or visit it for recreational purposes. However there is a real danger that inappropriate development and uncontrolled recreation will damage the qualities which make this sensitive area so special. This could have far reaching implications for the environment, cultural heritage and economy of the area. It is against this background that the proposal to establish a National Park in Mourne has arisen.
The proposal for a Mourne National Park would seek to address these issues by:
- Identifying the fact that this is one of the most outstanding landscapes in Northern Ireland and underlining the sense of pride which we have in the Mourne area, both locally and nationally.
- Highlighting the fact that the special qualities of the Mourne area are easily damaged and need to be carefully managed to safeguard then for the future generations.
- Enabling people to work together, so that a more co-ordinated approach to the management of the area can be taken.
- Allowing local people to become more involved in decisions affecting the area in which they live and work.
- Helping to attract national and international funding to strengthen the environment, culture and economy of the local area.
- Recognising the importance of the Mourne area by using the National Park ‘label'. This term is known throughout the world and could help to attract investment and tourism to the Mourne area. However, this would need to be carefully planned to ensure that it is done in a sustainable manner.
National Parks in Northern Ireland
In 2002, Environment and Heritage Service commissioned a study of the potential benefits of establishing one or more national parks in Northern Ireland. This study identified the Mourne area as being most suited for designation as Northern Ireland’s first National Park for the following reasons:
- the area merits National Park status in recognition of its outstanding landscape, biodiversity and cultural value;
- the area is of sufficient scale to secure its long term future and affords the opportunity for integrated management;
- there is already a community based management structure in the form of the Mourne Heritage Trust; and
- the Mourne Mountains have a well-established tradition of access and outdoor recreation.
Following this study, the former Minister of the Environment, Dermot Nesbitt, announced that he would be working towards creating a National Park in Mourne, subject to there being sufficient local support and funding. The Ministers appointed under direct rule, Angela Smith and Jeff Rooker have said that they support this aim and will continue to work towards it.
How is the proposal for a National Park being taken forward?
The Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands Order 1985 allows the Department of the Environment to designate National Parks in Northern Ireland. This legislation does not however provide an adequate basis for their management. In order to establish a Mourne National Park, or any other National Park in Northern Ireland, new legislation is therefore required.The Department published a discussion paper in October 2004 entitled ‘National Parks and other Protected Landscape Areas’. The responses to this paper are currently informing the preparation of draft legislation which will enable the designation of National Parks generally. There will also be public consultation on the proposals to be contained on the new legislation.
The four proposed aims for national parks are:
- to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area;
- to promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area;
- to promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public, and
- to promote sustainable economic and social development of the area's communities.
Once the new National Park primary legislation is in place, it would then be possible for the Department to consider a formal proposal to designate a Mourne National Park. This would involve public consultation and a local inquiry should circumstances warrant it. Only after this process would the Department bring forward legislative proposals for a park designation order.