Wilson ends national park visit with spectatular mountain tour

Environment Minister Sammy Wilson today concluded his visit to the Cairngorms National Park with a breathtaking trip to the top of a 4,084 foot high mountain.

During the final day of a fact finding tour of the park, the Minister travelled to the summit of Cairngorm Mountain.

The Minister said: "My two day visit to the Cairngorms has been a valuable learning exercise. It will help me to consider whether Northern Ireland should have national parks.

"I had the privilege today of taking in the breathtaking view from Cairngorm Mountain. I also got the chance to visit a local farm, to take in Nethy Bridge and Huntley's Cave and to see how affordable housing within the national park is addressed in Aviemore.

“Over the two days I have had very informative discussions with board members and staff of Cairngorms National Park Authority, with local landowners, farmers and business people.

"Scottish National Parks are unique. They are not just about conserving and enhancing an area's natural environment. They are also concerned with the economic and social development of the communities which live and work there. This means the communities and businesses in the park area are valued in the same way as the landscape itself and the habitats and wildlife it supports.

"I was interested to hear how Cairngorms National Park Authority provides leadership and about how communities, public sector organisations, and others worked together to discuss what they want the park area to be like in 30 years time. Working in partnership they have developed a plan to help them achieve their vision and now each is playing its part in making it happen,

"It is only right that local people should have a say in the future of their areas and of their communities and that is what is happening in the Cairngorms. There are local people on the Board of the National Park Authority and the Authority is engaging with the entire community, young and old, in creative and imaginative ways

"I also saw for myself that a National Park is not about regulation or red tape. There are no more restrictions on farmers in the Cairngorms National Park than there are on farmers elsewhere.

"A national park need not stop development. There is a need for housing in the Cairngorms and houses are being built. Today I saw a development of 200 houses built to high environmental standards, half of which is affordable housing."

On his return to Northern Ireland, the Minister will further explore the arguments for and against introducing legislation which would allow for national parks and he will discuss his ideas with the Executive.

He continued: "Essentially, Northern Ireland is at the point Scotland was in the late 1990’s before it opted for enabling legislation to create national parks.

"As we contemplate the future, it is essential we properly examine all the angles. Increased tourism brings economic opportunities and we need to exploit these. But we need to do this in a sustainable way so that our environmental and cultural heritage and way of life is sustained.

“I would like to thank the Cairngorms National Park Authority for arranging an extremely interesting and informative visit. I very much appreciate the time people devoted from their busy schedules to make me feel welcome and to give me a full understanding of the park’s operations.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Environment Minister is expected to bring his views about national parks to the Executive after the summer recess.

2. If the Executive does decide to bring forward legislative proposals for national parks, two stages will be needed. Primary legislation will be needed to allow Northern Ireland to have national parks. After that further legislation will be required to designate any specific area as a national park.

3. For further information about the Cairngorms National Park, visit www.cairngorms.co.uk

4.For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned