First step to create ‘game changing tourism’ plan for Newcastle

First step to create ‘game changing tourism’ plan for Newcastle

15 August 2018

WORK is to start on an outline business case to determine the cost of highly ambitious proposals aimed at shaping future tourist provision in Newcastle.

Concept proposals aimed at drawing international visitors to world class attractions across the resort were unveiled last year as part of the Mourne Gateway Project and include a gondola ride into the heart of the Mournes and a visitor centre at the site of the old quarry at Thomas’ Mountain.

Other proposals include an Alpine coaster ride enabling people to hurtle down the side of the mountain on a single track in a buggy, an indoor activity centre in Donard Park, elevated tree top walk in Tollymore Forest Park and new visitor centre and bird hide at the Murlough Nature Reserve.

Consultants who were appointed by Newry, Mourne and Down Council to look at developing the resort’s visitor infrastructure also suggested constructing a new bridge under the main Kilkeel Road at the Bloody Bridge on the outskirts of the resort.

Proposals have also been outlined for the Islands Park, with upgrades planned for existing car parks, alongside new public toilet provision, with reducing the the tree line in Donard Forest on the slopes of the Mournes one of the more radical proposals.

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

While no budget was put in place and no timescale for the planned construction of any of the tourism proposals was outlined, work is to now start on these key areas.

The outline business case will provide more detail of the project costs and benefits with the gateway project one of a number of initiatives the local authority hopes to secure funding for via the Belfast Region City Deal.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is one of six local authorities which is part of the City Deal group created to make bids for central government funding for ambitious proposals.

City Deal, which have been hugely successful in other parts of the UK, are designed to deliver a step change in a region’s economic fortunes and help achieve future growth.

Members of the local authority’s Economic Regeneration and Tourism Committee were told on Monday that the Mournes Gateway Project is one of the proposed projects in the council’s City Deal bid.

Councillors were told the outline business case will focus on detailed costings and examine the benefits the proposals have for Newcastle and the wider district.

A number of key organisations including the National Trust, Forest Service and Environment Agency have already been consulted about the ambitious tourism proposals which will require numerous planning and environmental approvals before anything can happen.

Detailed feasibility studies will also be required before any of the suggested schemes can move to the detailed design stage.

Council officials say they are working in partnership with Tourism NI and are determined to deliver a “game changing tourism project” for the area.

They believe what happens in Newcastle can act as a catalyst for the entire region.