Will Northern Ireland get it's first National Park?

Environment Minister Alex Attwood is poised to announce his top three candidates for Northern Ireland’s first National Park.



It is thought the minister will announce the three most suitable areas within days, before submitting them to the Executive at its final meeting before the summer recess on July 5. One contender is the Mourne Mountain range.



Mr Attwood will also put forward proposals for enabling legislation to set up National Parks.



At a meeting of Stormont’s Environment Committee yesterday, DOE officials said the minister is keen to see at least one National Park in Northern Ireland.



They dismissed suggestions that differences between the proposed legislation and that in Great Britain will mean that a National Park in Northern Ireland will not meet international standards.



Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/top-three-contenders-for-national-park-status-to-be-revealed-16172963.html#ixzz1yEHuIg1S