Introduction
-The Mournes have had AONB status since 1986 while Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK without a National Park.
-In 2002 the Environment and Heritage Service commissioned a study to examine the potential benefits of a National Park in Northern Ireland.
-National park status could benefit economic activity such as farming as it would protect the Mournes from the increasing number and pressure of tourists.
Two main aims of a national park and why do changes need to be planned carefully?
-promote and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of The Mournes -promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area.
-Changes need to be planned carefully as there are many different people and communities that need to be taken into consideration when planning any changes to the area such as farmers, home owners, tourists and environmentalists.
Positives and negatives that affect The Mournes
-A positive that would affect recreation would be that in 2003, almost 1.4 million people visited the area.
-However, uncontrolled and inappropriate developments that come along with increased numbers of people would have long-term negative impacts.
-The current AONB status lacks the legal power that a National Park Authority would have to prevent inappropriate developments such as the so-called bungalow blight.
-However, concerns have been raised about the powers of the National Park Authority, as locals fear that it would add an additional layer of bureaucracy to planning issues.
Positive for natural aspects of The Mournes
-An increase in funding for the area would combat issues such as wildfires.
-In 2011 a wildfire broke out along the Analong valley which damaged heathland habitats and biodiversity. This fire also caused damage to peat and bog soil, under laid the heather and increased soil erosion. Funding could provide firebreaks as the number of wildfires is expected to rise due to climate change.
-However, the increased number of tourists that would come along with this National Park could ruin the delicate environment of the Mournes.
Benefits to the Mournes expenditure wise
-An additional £200 million could be generated for the local economy as an area of increased tourist expenditure. Estimates suggested that there could have been an increase from 2300 jobs to 5100 by 2020 with National Park status.
-However, the economic activities in the area which did not rely on tourism, such as sand extraction, felt threatened. These activities earn about £10 million annually and provide jobs for 200 people.
-Owners feared their businesses could be closed and employees worried they could lose their jobs
Conclusion
-I believe that National Park Status in the Mournes would bring more benefit to the area than negative.
-Funding could not only protect the area from wildfires but it could also boost the local economy and while there is a fear some employees may lose their job, 1000’s of new ones could be created.
