The Mournes & National Park

[Smokin Joe]

I had reason to drive to Warrenpoint and along the coast to Newcastle yesterday and I noticed there were "No to National Park" signs up.
I presume this must be something to do with making the Mournes a National Park?

Why the objections, surely this would be good for tourism?

[ExiledGael]

Seen something about the fact local landowners and farmers would lose control of the area so they are digging the heels in

[J70]

National park status prioritizes environmental and wildlife issues over development. Many landowners don't like that.

[Smokin Joe]

I found the Mourne Working Party website and as suggested above here seems to be the main disadvantage:

Change in land values with development land increasing in cost and land not zoned for development reverting to agriculturally influenced prices.

All you need to know about it is here:
http://www.mourneworkingparty.org/index/working_part_presentation.htm