Ballynahinch estate given go-ahead for plans

24 August 2016

PLANS for a new visitor centre at the historic Montalto Estate in Ballynahinch have been given the green light.

Local planners have approved a scheme for a new courtyard development at the picturesque estate where a new reception area, shop, cafe and guest accommodation will also be provided alongside a new car park and access road.

The new developments are expected to create a number of new jobs at the 400-acre estate and have been designed to complement the estate’s upmarket wedding and function venue The Carriage Rooms, which opened in 2012.

Montalto Estate was bought by the Wilson family as a private home in 1995 and in 2008 the family moved out of the main house, which was refurbished before being made available for private hire.

Since then, the historic demesne has also been the venue for a number of large scale public events including a 10k charity fun run, a regroup stage for the Circuit of Ireland car rally and a two-day game fair, which attracted over 10,000 people.

There have been a number of significant changes at the estate over the past number of years with the latest plans designed to fully open the complex to the public with a long-term aim of developing a top tourist destination with the newly proposed development aimed at accommodating anticipated visitor numbers.

Slieve Croob councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed the planners’ decision to formally approve the Montalto development plan which he fully supports.

“I believe the planning application has been very carefully and sympathetically designed to the highest architectural standards and fully complements and integrates into the existing historic built heritage and surrounding natural habitat and countryside within the estate,” he said.

“The proposed courtyard development and visitor centre will have a positive impact on the local and

wider community and also the local economy of Spa and Ballynahinch and wider Co Down region, an area which is becoming a popular tourist destination area for local and international tourists.”

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