North Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has called on the Environment Minister to withdraw the threat of National Park status from the rural community in North Antrim.
Mr Swann said:
"Following a very well attended and a very successful public meeting in Ballycastle it is clear that there is no appetite for a National Park covering the Causeway Coast and Glens area. Listening to the experiences of those living in National Parks in the rest of the UK, it is clear that the power of the Authority established to manage such a park has a major negative impact on the lives of many.
People in the Mournes have had the threat lifted from them following widespread public discontent and I am calling on the Minister to lift the threat from the North Antrim community.
Farmers trying to deal with higher costs, lower returns, TB, Schmallenberg, ash die-back, a farm payments system that doesn't pay them and a host of wasteful red tape also have to live with the fear and apprehension of what this Minister wants to impose.
I am calling on the Minister to show the community of North Antrim the same respect he has given to the community in the Mournes and remove this threat. Minister Attwood would serve this community better if he focussed on addressing the major deficiency that is the area planning process."