National Trust based gondola decision ‘on best evidence it had’

National Trust based gondola decision ‘on best evidence it had’

24 September 2025

THE National Trust insists it can stand over its decision to pull the plug on one of the biggest tourism projects ever proposed for the island of Ireland.

It has rejected claims it bowed to political pressure and insists its decision not to grant a lease for its land for the gondola ride was based on the “best possible evidence it had”.

While conceding it could have delayed its decision until the local council’s environmental impact report had been completed, the conservation charity believes it would not have made a difference.

“We made a decision and we made it clear,” said the Trust’s assistant director of operations in Northern Ireland.

Mr Jonny Clarke said from the outset, the Trust consistently voiced its concerns about potential environmental and other impacts of the £44m scheme.

He said the Trust had never endorsed or supported the project with the decision not to consider a lease at Thomas’s Quarry based on the expert information available.

Mr Clarke said the decision was not taken lightly and there was a growing body of evidence the project risked placing additional pressures on the fragile landscape. 

“We were also informed by our members and public opinion which, in almost all cases, was opposed to the proposed gondola project and are very clear that any future development in the Mournes needs to truly serve the long term conservation and sustainable enjoyment of this irreplaceable natural heritage.

“This is what led us to our decision regarding the lease of the quarry,” he continued.

“There is never a perfect time to make a decision. We made this in May and if we did it earlier then we risked having insufficient evidence. If we left it later, we risked wasting time and resource and reducing the options available to the project team to seek alternatives.”

Mr Clarke said the Trust believed this was appropriate and in the best interests of all involved, but recognised that the decision not to grant the lease was disappointing to those who had worked on and championed the project. 

He continued: “The Mournes and the wider area of natural beauty is one of our greatest assets and we know that the Mournes Gateway Project and its associated funding brings an important opportunity for sustainable tourism to the local community.

“Alongside the local community, the National Trust would like to see the City Deal funding stay in the Newcastle area.”

He added: “We believe there is an opportunity to develop and an adapted plan that everyone can support.”