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22/03/2004
Mournes National Park takes a step closer
A National Park for the Mournes area of Co Down took a step closer today after the Government confirmed a Chairman for the Working Party set up to bring about the plan is to be appointed.
NIO Minister Angela Smith confirmed the news on Monday by saying that the three district councils within the Mourne area, as well as farming, community, and conservation and user groups, will be invited to submit nominations for membership of the Party.
Emphasising local community involvement in the plans, the Minister said: “The main objective of setting up the Working Party is to enable people with a direct interest in the area to have a say in the form the National Park should take.
"I have taken this step to ensure that the local community, mainly through its elected representatives, will be fully involved in that process."
Mrs Smith also confirmed that officials were drafting a discussion paper on the wider policy and legislative issues governing National Parks in Northern Ireland. She added: “Before we can designate a Mourne National Park it will be necessary to introduce legislation to provide for appropriate management structures. My officials are currently preparing a discussion paper on these aspects for issue in the summer."
Set up last October to formulate the proposals for the National Park, the Working Party membership is made up by members of the three district councils and a range of farming, community, conservation and user groups.
The proposed National Park in the Mournes would be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. Although other areas, such as the Causeway Coast, have been identified as suitable candidates, there are no plans to designate other National Parks at present.
(MB)
NIO Minister Angela Smith confirmed the news on Monday by saying that the three district councils within the Mourne area, as well as farming, community, and conservation and user groups, will be invited to submit nominations for membership of the Party.
Emphasising local community involvement in the plans, the Minister said: “The main objective of setting up the Working Party is to enable people with a direct interest in the area to have a say in the form the National Park should take.
"I have taken this step to ensure that the local community, mainly through its elected representatives, will be fully involved in that process."
Mrs Smith also confirmed that officials were drafting a discussion paper on the wider policy and legislative issues governing National Parks in Northern Ireland. She added: “Before we can designate a Mourne National Park it will be necessary to introduce legislation to provide for appropriate management structures. My officials are currently preparing a discussion paper on these aspects for issue in the summer."
Set up last October to formulate the proposals for the National Park, the Working Party membership is made up by members of the three district councils and a range of farming, community, conservation and user groups.
The proposed National Park in the Mournes would be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. Although other areas, such as the Causeway Coast, have been identified as suitable candidates, there are no plans to designate other National Parks at present.
(MB)
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24 September 2004
Take advantage of Mournes National Park, delegates told
Delegates at the annual Newry and Mourne Tourism Conference have been urged to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the proposed designation of the Mournes as a National Park.
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Delegates at the annual Newry and Mourne Tourism Conference have been urged to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the proposed designation of the Mournes as a National Park.
05 September 2012
Major Newcastle Meeting Against Mournes National Park
More than a thousand people have attended an event opposed to national park proposals for the Mourne mountains. The public meeting in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle considered environment minister Alex Attwood's proposals to make the Mournes area one of two new national parks in Northern Ireland.
Major Newcastle Meeting Against Mournes National Park
More than a thousand people have attended an event opposed to national park proposals for the Mourne mountains. The public meeting in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle considered environment minister Alex Attwood's proposals to make the Mournes area one of two new national parks in Northern Ireland.
05 October 2009
'Signature' Highlights National Park Bid
Initiatives to improve the tourist experience in the Mournes are continuing, regardless of a controversial proposal for its designation as a National Park, writes Carla Liebana.
'Signature' Highlights National Park Bid
Initiatives to improve the tourist experience in the Mournes are continuing, regardless of a controversial proposal for its designation as a National Park, writes Carla Liebana.
24 June 2003
Mournes 'National' Park talks continue
Plans for a National Park in the Mournes area were discussed today during a meeting in Co Down. The meeting, held in Newcastle, examined both the proposal and to seek a consensus on how local people, elected representatives and various interested parties can most effectively participate in the process.
Mournes 'National' Park talks continue
Plans for a National Park in the Mournes area were discussed today during a meeting in Co Down. The meeting, held in Newcastle, examined both the proposal and to seek a consensus on how local people, elected representatives and various interested parties can most effectively participate in the process.
11 April 2003
Mournes National Park moves a step closer
Minister of the Environment, Angela Smith, has revealed that a further step has been taken towards the designation of a National Park in the Mournes, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. A Steering Group, with nominees from a wide range of interested bodies, has been set up to take forward the designation.
Mournes National Park moves a step closer
Minister of the Environment, Angela Smith, has revealed that a further step has been taken towards the designation of a National Park in the Mournes, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland. A Steering Group, with nominees from a wide range of interested bodies, has been set up to take forward the designation.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
