By Ryan Sands
DELAMONT Country Park has been included in plans for a major ‘immersive tourism trail’ that spans the district.
Last Thursday, a council committee agreed to appoint a multidisciplinary team to deliver an outline business case for the scheme, which aims to retain £29.2m of Belfast Region City Deal funding allocated to the controversial Mourne Mountains Gateway Project.
A local authority statement said:
‘A new concept plan aims to connect Kilbroney Forest Park in Rostrevor with Slieve Gullion Forest Park in south Armagh and Delamont Country Park on the outskirts of Killyleagh, with significant investment planned at each to transform them into international standard tourist facilities that will appeal to global visitors and provide a boost for towns, villages and businesses across the region.’
Details on the mooted facilities have not yet been made public; however, last year, the council approved the procurement and appointment of an integrated consultancy team to progress projects within the Delamont Masterplan.
These include a new and enhanced trail network, which will accommodate different skill levels and include upgraded surfaces; a new visitor orientation centre, which will include interpretive displays and a range of visitor facilities; and a ‘standout’ viewpoint or signature visitor attraction that ‘will become the defining highlight of the site, offering a dramatic or unique perspective that leaves a lasting impression’.
