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USPC AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
Safeguarding the amenities of Northern Ireland and doing everything possible to protect and enhance its beauty for our own and future generations.
Arousing and educating public opinion in order to further the promotion of these objectives.
Acting either directly, or through its members or affiliated organisations, to give or obtain advice or information about these objectives.
Arousing and educating public opinion in order to further the promotion of these objectives.
Acting either directly, or through its members or affiliated organisations, to give or obtain advice or information about these objectives.
CARING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE
The Ulster Society for the Protection of the Countryside is an independent voluntary organisation, established in 1937, to provide representation for those concerned citizens of Northern Ireland who recognise the need to cherish and maintain our natural environment, and when necessary, to demand action to protect it.
The USPC is financed entirely by members’ annual subscriptions, and is managed and maintained by voluntary officers and members elected annually to its Council.
The USPC is financed entirely by members’ annual subscriptions, and is managed and maintained by voluntary officers and members elected annually to its Council.
PROTECTING THE COUNTRYSIDE
Anything that spoils our beautiful countryside concerns the USPC, and affects the life of all of the inhabitants of Northern Ireland. Any such instances should be reported to elected representatives, or to the USPC, as soon as possible. Consultations with responsible Government Departments, their Agencies and the Local Authorities should provide explanation and advice, and if unsatisfactory, should be challenged.
The USPC is involved in many current issues, planning and inappropriate building developments, particularly when on greenfield sites, the quality of water, waste disposal, litter, fly posting and graffiti, illegal advertising hoardings, wind farms and communication masts sited at inappropriate locations.
There are also many long-term countryside issues to be resolved, such as the preservation of our few remaining Public Rights of Way, the destruction of mature trees, removal of hedgerows and inconsiderate “improvements” that spoil our rural roads and rivers. A separate issue is to persuade farmers and landowners to allow access to specified uplands and the coast for recreation, good health and education.
After World War 2, the USPC commenced its campaign to have the best of Northern Ireland’s beautiful countryside protected in National Parks. After sixty years of effort and disappointment a White Paper has now been placed before the Stormont Assembly to establish National Parks in Northern Ireland, and the USPC Council is working to influence our MLAs to provide support for this admirable objective.
The USPC was represented on the recent Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Mourne National Park Working Party, which submitted a report to the Minister of the Environment in 2007. After a less than enthusiastic response in Mourne, the USPC suggests that Northern Ireland’s first National Park be located in County Antrim and to include the Glens, Coast and the World Heritage Site at Giant’s Causeway.
The USPC was also represented on the NIEA Ulster Way Advisory Committee, whose task was to provide an off-road National Trail around Northern Ireland, based on the USPC’s Wilfrid Capper’s “Ulster Way” route. However, this was unsuccessful due to inadequate legislation precluding legal off-road access for recreation.
To address this problem the USPC has suggested allowing access to our beautiful countryside in designated areas, above and beyond habitations and outbuildings, cultivated land and stock enclosures. Landowners within these areas would have indemnity against loss or damage by recreational walkers.
The USPC is involved in many current issues, planning and inappropriate building developments, particularly when on greenfield sites, the quality of water, waste disposal, litter, fly posting and graffiti, illegal advertising hoardings, wind farms and communication masts sited at inappropriate locations.
There are also many long-term countryside issues to be resolved, such as the preservation of our few remaining Public Rights of Way, the destruction of mature trees, removal of hedgerows and inconsiderate “improvements” that spoil our rural roads and rivers. A separate issue is to persuade farmers and landowners to allow access to specified uplands and the coast for recreation, good health and education.
After World War 2, the USPC commenced its campaign to have the best of Northern Ireland’s beautiful countryside protected in National Parks. After sixty years of effort and disappointment a White Paper has now been placed before the Stormont Assembly to establish National Parks in Northern Ireland, and the USPC Council is working to influence our MLAs to provide support for this admirable objective.
The USPC was represented on the recent Northern Ireland Environment Agency’s Mourne National Park Working Party, which submitted a report to the Minister of the Environment in 2007. After a less than enthusiastic response in Mourne, the USPC suggests that Northern Ireland’s first National Park be located in County Antrim and to include the Glens, Coast and the World Heritage Site at Giant’s Causeway.
The USPC was also represented on the NIEA Ulster Way Advisory Committee, whose task was to provide an off-road National Trail around Northern Ireland, based on the USPC’s Wilfrid Capper’s “Ulster Way” route. However, this was unsuccessful due to inadequate legislation precluding legal off-road access for recreation.
To address this problem the USPC has suggested allowing access to our beautiful countryside in designated areas, above and beyond habitations and outbuildings, cultivated land and stock enclosures. Landowners within these areas would have indemnity against loss or damage by recreational walkers.
PROTECT THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR £15 - JOIN THE USPC
GROUPS, CLUBS, ORGANISATIONS AND BUSINESSES
Show your support for the environment
Join the Ulster Society for the Protection of the Countryside
ANNUAL AFFILIATION FEE £15
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Website updated: 11th January, 2012
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USPC, 22 Donegall Road, Belfast, BT12 5JN ~ Tel: (028) 9024 9006 ~ Email: countryside@uspc.org.uk
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USPC, 22 Donegall Road, Belfast, BT12 5JN ~ Tel: (028) 9024 9006 ~ Email: countryside@uspc.org.uk
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© USPC 2011