Council to assess other gondola projects across globe in consultation

18 December 2024

NEWRY, Mourne and Down Council is looking at interna gondola projects across the globe as part of its ongoing consultation into the controversial Mourne Gateway Project.

The council insists that at this early stage of the evidence gathering process, it was “premature to reach any conclusion” on the impact of the £44m project until all the facts are known.

Significantly, the council says given the proposal’s early stage of development, there cannot be absolute certainty over the final cost, with the figure updated as the project progresses through the design development stages.

At the heart of the Newcastle scheme is the cable car ride from Donard Park to a proposed visitor centre which would be built at a former quarry at Thomas’s mountain.

Last week, Stormont economy minister Conor Murphy was asked to use his influence to force a rethink over the planned cable car ride which has caused much upset.

Over 6,000 people have signed a petition opposing the scheme, which is being financed by the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) and the local council and projected to open in 2029.

The flagship tourism project is aimed at “redefining the visitor experience of the Mournes” but has been met with vehement opposition.

It was confirmed recently that a specialist consultant is to be appointed to oversee the controversial gondola ride as part of the biggest ever tourism project proposed for the island of Ireland, while the National Trust recently reaffirmed that it does not endorse the multi-million pound project.

The conservation charity — which owns Slieve Donard — said it remains “deeply concerned” about the environmental impact of the project and has made it clear the organisation is not involved in the development or design of the project, no does it endorse it.

The charity says its position on the multi-million pound project remains unchanged and its “deeply concerned” about its environmental impact.

This week, the local authority confirmed that following extensive consultation, taking available information into account alongside so-called “visionary workshops” held in December 2011, the Mourne Mountain Gateway Project was first presented by the then Department for Social Development within the South East Coast Masterplan in 2013 and was referred to as the Donard Gondola.

A council spokeswoman said the masterplan presented Newcastle as the primary gateway to the Mournes, with the Donard Gondola having an important role to provide a premier tourist amenity attracting overseas visitors and supporting further exploration of the area.

“At that time it was recognised this would allow family groups and those with mobility impairment to enjoy the mountains,” she continued.

“The Gateway Project aims to deliver on the ambition of the 2013 masterplan supported by £30m from BRCD to deliver a world-class international visitor attraction, while developing sustainable travel infrastructure to connect residents and visitors to the Mourne Mountains.”

The spokeswoman said the council is currently in a new phase of public engagement and at this early stage of the project continues to gather a range of views to inform the concept design which the Integrated consultancy team is currently developing.

“While looking at similar projects both locally and internationally, we will also be carefully considering the unique setting of the Mournes and conducting an extensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) as part of the planning process,” said the spokeswoman.

“The EIA and HRA will carefully consider the findings of extensive ecology surveys which are ongoing and the

design and visitor management plan will be shaped by those surveys and the assessment of them to identify and mitigate potential impact on any sensitive habitats.”

The spokeswoman said at this early stage in the evidence gathering process, it is premature to reach any conclusion on the impact of the project until all the facts are known.

“As the surveys continue and the design and visitor management plan develops, further events will be held to present the emerging details and seek further feedback,” she confirmed.

“These further phases of public engagement for the Mourne Mountains Gateway Project are planned for early next year and next spring and summer.”

The spokeswoman said the local authority’s professional cost consultant for the Gateway project provided a cost estimate of circa £44m.

She said the full business case will also help the organisation understand more detail on the economic impact of this project.

The Gateway Project is being billed as a “world class tourism attraction” for Newcastle with those behind the scheme insisting it has the potential to redefine the visitor experience of the Mournes, whilst supporting the sustainable growth of tourism and protecting and enhancing the natural heritage and habitat of the region.

Council officials insist the proposed tourism scheme is designed to position the local area as one of the province’s premier tourism districts, create 33 new jobs and encourage additional investment in the resort and wider area, particularly in new visitor accommodation.

Scheme supporters say it is also designed to support sustainable tourism and improvements to infrastructure and accessibility.

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