Appeal for alternative schemes for Mournes

Appeal for alternative schemes for Mournes

16 April 2025

ARCHITECTS of the controversial gondola ride into the Mournes have been urged to consider “alternative projects” that are more sustainable tourism initiatives.

The National Trust has this week reaffirmed that it has serious concerns about the Mourne Gateway Project which has a gondola ride from Donard Park to a new visitor centre at a former quarry at Thomas’s Mountain at its heart.

Funding for the controversial £44m project is being spearheaded by Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Belfast City Region Deal which are stumping up £14m and £30m respectively.

But concern is growing that development costs are closer to £50m and could increase significantly, with the liability for the increased spend falling on the shoulders of the district’s ratepayers.

Two weeks ago, over 150 people attended a public meeting in Newcastle to express their opposition to the gondola ride and devise a strategy to fight the project every step of the way.

An appeal was also issued to the National Trust to pull the plug on the proposal as the gondola ride can’t progress if the conservation charity — which owns the land needed to deliver the project — does not give its seal of approval.

The charity is not a partner in the Mourne Gateway project and is not involved in the development or the design, nor endorses the proposal.

As a landowner and provider of access in the Mournes, the National Trust says its position on the gondola and visitor centre remains unchanged.

“We have serious concerns about the environmental impact and will not provide a lease for Thomas’s Quarry unless a full environmental impact assessment and our concerns about the potential impact of the project on the landscape, wildlife, livestock and water quality of the area have been addressed,” a spokesperson said.

“Our understanding is the project is still in the conceptual stage and we expect that all our concerns, which we have consistently stated, will be considered fully, through robust environmental impact assessments.? 

“The habitat on Slieve Donard is exceptionally fragile. The area is designated as a Special Area of Conservation due to the montane and dry heath, blanket bog and the specialised flora and fauna which live in this landscape.?These habitats are internationally scarce and need special protection.”

The Trust says that given the environmental impact already caused by increased visitor numbers, it believes any new proposals for this area must have sustainable tourism at its heart, ensuring the community, environment and local economy can thrive now and in the future.?  

The Trust said with grant aid from DAERA and in partnership with other organisations, it’s investing heavily in helping this part of the Mournes to recover from the devastating wildfire of April 2021.

“We are also working constantly to repair footpaths to Slieve Donard and Commedagh to keep visitors safe and protect wildlife and habitats. These are our current priorities to enable both local communities and visitors from further afield to enjoy the special landscapes of Mourne,” the spokeswoman continued.

The Trust said it has met with the local council officials on many occasions and in the last year attended two working groups to hear about progress, share relevant data and highlight the charity’s environmental concerns and need for an environmental impact assessment.

It has also met Tourism NI and the Department for Economy to discuss sustainable recreation within the landscape. 

“Despite not being directly involved in the project development, we’ve shared our own environmental data on the area, including information on ongoing efforts to restore the fragile upland habitats and maintain existing paths,” the spokeswoman confirmed.

The Trust says there are also practical concerns related to a visitor centre in such a fragile environment, for example, providing water and power, dealing with sewage and wastewater and rubbish in environmentally sensitive ways.

The Trust says that, to date, ecological assessments have focused mainly on the development footprint, but it knows that recreational pressure will extend well beyond this boundary and into surrounding designated land which is highly sensitive.

“The proposed location for the visitor centre at Thomas’s quarry is particularly close to precious habitats. Increased visitor numbers in this area would present a high risk to these vulnerable ecosystems which are already under pressure,” said the spokeswoman.

“We are also concerned about the visual impact the development could have on the wider landscape of the Mournes as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Any new infrastructure must be carefully considered in the context of protecting the character and heritage of this special place.

“We remain committed to engaging constructively with all parties involved to ensure that access and conservation are properly balanced for the benefit of both people and nature.”

The Trust has also confirmed that should the project proceed to the planning application stage, its response would be dependent on what is included in the final proposals and “robust consideration” of the environmental impact assessment which is required from the project developer.

The Trust said it continues to engage with the local community and listens to its concerns.

In a recent response to the Friends of Donard Consultation Group, it confirmed it has requested further information on the scope of the council’s environmental assessment of the proposal and its decision-making processes to date.

The Trust confirmed it is encouraging the local authority to “consider alternative projects that could better meet their aims around sustainable tourism initiatives”.