Newcastle tourism plans get underway

Newcastle tourism plans get underway

21 November 2018

LOCAL council officials are working with Tourism NI to help deliver highly ambitious proposals aimed at shaping future tourist provision in Newcastle.

The news comes a week after it was confirmed that work is to start on a detailed outline business case aimed at paving the way for a series of exciting, world class attractions, including a gondola ride into the heart of the Mournes and a visitor centre at the site of the old quarry at Thomas’ Mountain. 

Work on the business case, which is expected to take one year to complete, is a key part of the mechanism to deliver the £42m Mournes Gateway project which will be delivered by a range of funding partners to significantly increase the number of visitors to the resort.

And while the main focus is on the major aspects of the tourism initiative which also include an Alpine coaster ride enabling people to hurtle down the side of the mountain on a single track in a buggy and an indoor activity centre in Donard Park, there are many other components.

The project is a key part of the Belfast City Regional Deal which has secured a near £1bn investment package from the Treasury and Northern Ireland Executive.

Newry, Mourne and Down is hoping to secure £35m from the Northern Ireland Executive and is committing £7m of ratepayers’ money to fund the proposed gondola ride and visitor centre.

And while talks continue to secure cash under the city deal initiative, local council officials are working alongside Tourism NI to secure financial backing for its other aspects and move the various projects through a series of key stages, including the preparation of business cases and planning approval.

The tourism scheme’s other proposals include 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.

Consultants appointed by the local authority to look at developing the resort’s visitor infrastructure have also come up with proposals for the 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.

A so-called ‘green travel network’, which would allow visitors to hire bicycles and electric bikes to make their way round various attractions, is also suggested.

The various proposals form the core of the Mourne Mountains Gateway Study and have already been discussed with the National Trust, Forest Service and Environment Agency. 

Before anything happens, numerous planning and environmental approvals will be required, alongside the compilation of feasibility studies and business cases.

The gateway project aims to link Thomas’ Quarry in the Mournes, Donard Park and Donard Forest with Tollymore Forest Park, Murlough Nature Reserve and Bloody Bridge.

The overarching vision is to provide game-changing, world-class, international tourist attractions which develop sustainable enhancement of access from Newcastle to the Mournes and its foothills and forests, while also broadening recreational provision.