§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what areas of South Down are now covered by areas of outstanding natural beauty and sites of special scientific interest; and what are the relevant figures for 1981.
§ Mr. NeedhamIn 1981 there were three areas of outstanding natural beauty—AONBs—in South Down designated under the Amenity Lands Act (Northern Ireland) 1965
Mourne AONB—approximately 46,000 hectares;Lecale Coast AONB—approximately 3,000 hectares;Strangford Lough AONB—approximately 19,000 hectares, only part of which falls within South Down.In 1981 there were eight areas of scientific interestASIs—in South Down designated under the 1965 Act, but the category areas of special scientific interest—ASSIs—did not exist at that time.
The 1965 Act was repealed by the Nature Conservation and Amenity Lands (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 which introduced a new framework for the conservation of nature and the countryside. Under the 1985 order, the Mourne AONB has been reviewed and now measures 57,000 hectares approximately. The other two AONBs have not been reviewed.
The ASSI category was introduced by the 1985 Order; South Down contains part of two ASSIs:—
Strangford Lough (Part II) ASSI—approximately 700 hectares.Strangford Lough (Part III) ASSI—approximately 1,900 hectares.The ASI designations under the 1965 Act are still operative but they do not afford as much protection as ASSI declarations.