Bill for resort tourism plan to be unveiled

Bill for resort tourism plan to be unveiled

13 September 2017

THE cost of delivering highly ambitious new tourism proposals for Newcastle will be made public next month.

Concept proposals designed to attract international visitors to the resort were unveiled earlier this year and include a gondola ride into the heart of the Mournes, a visitor centre at the site of the old quarry at Thomas’ Mountain and a so-called Alpine coaster enabling people to hurtle down the side of the mountain on a single track in a buggy.

Other ideas include an indoor activity centre in Donard Park, an elevated tree top walk in Tollymore Forest Park, a new visitor centre and bird hide at the Murlough Nature Reserve and a new bridge constructed under the main Kilkeel Road at the Bloody Bridge on the outskirts of the town.

Members of the public and politicians, alongside the National Trust, Forest Service and Environment Agency, have had an opportunity to comment on the proposals which form the core of the Mourne Mountains Gateway Study. 

Consultants appointed by Newry, Mourne and Down Council to look at developing the resort’s visitor infrastructure have also come up with proposals for Islands Park, with upgrades planned for existing car parks, alongside new public toilet provision.

There are also proposals to reduce the the tree line in Donard Forest on the slopes of the Mournes, while a so-called green travel network which would allow visitors to hire bicycles and electric bikes to make their way round various attractions is suggested.

Before anything can happen, numerous planning and environmental approvals will be required, alongside the compilation of feasibility studies and business cases. Detailed designs will also need to be worked up.

Members of the local authority’s Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee due to be presented with a detailed report next month.

In addition to including the estimated costs of the various proposals, the report will outline potential visitor numbers the proposals could attract, with the focus on international and regional visitors, the wider economic benefits of the proposed schemes and the mechanics of moving to the next stage to secure the necessary approvals that are required.

While the committee members have yet to be presented with the formal report on the way forward, they have approved the start of work on a detailed traffic management survey in the resort alongside financial and economic studies and developing detailed designs ahead of the submission of a formal environmental statement.

Once the potential costings of the various proposals have been outlined next month, councillors will decide what aspect they are keen to deliver first and seek approval for money to be earmarked for the project in next year’s budget.

Mournes councillor Willie Clarke said it is important work starts to improve traffic and parking issues in Newcastle ahead of any major investment in new tourism provision and is pleased  feedback on the ambitious proposals on shaping future tourist provision in Newcastle has been  largely positive.

“There is agreement to take the vision of the future, which local people have had an opportunity to comment on, to the next stage to help propel the resort on to the international tourist stage,” he continued. “The proposals are certainly a game changer and will not only benefit Newcastle, but the wider district, given the huge potential to attract more international visitors.

“Newcastle could have its very own Giant’s Causeway or Titanic tourist attraction and Tourism NI has committed funding to help deliver future projects. 

Nothing is going to happen overnight but it is important we ensure the proposed development moves to the next stage.”