Northern Ireland

'Unmissable opportunity' or a 'carbuncle' on the face of the Mournes? New images released of £44m Mourne Gateway Project

New images have been released of  proposals for a £44m visitor centre in the Mourne Mountains.
New images have been released of proposals for a £44m visitor centre in the Mourne Mountains. New images have been released of proposals for a £44m visitor centre in the Mourne Mountains.

NEW images have been revealed of a proposed £44 million visitor centre that would ferry visitors to the heart of the Mourne Mountains using cable cars.

The Mourne Mountains Gateway Project would create a dramatic structure in the disused Thomas Quarry, which is currently about an hour-long hike from Newcastle’s Donard Park.

Computer generated images show how gondolas would transport an estimated 365,000 visitors a year, in what is pitched as a tourism attraction equal to the Giant's Causeway and Titanic Belfast.

A public information event is being held in Newcastle on Thursday, but several residents have already voiced objections.

This includes whether the visitor experience is contained within the building, or if tourists are free to use it as a platform to continue hiking.

Read more:Opinion - There are greater priorities for the Mournes than a cable car scheme

New images have been released of proposals for a £44m visitor centre in the Mourne Mountains
New images have been released of proposals for a £44m visitor centre in the Mourne Mountains New images have been released of proposals for a £44m visitor centre in the Mourne Mountains

With an estimated completion date of 2029, the construction would be funded with £30m of use-it or lose-it funding through the Belfast Region City Deal, with the remaining £14m to be covered by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

It is understood the Belfast Region City Deal funding remains fixed, meaning ratepayers could be left to cover any jump in costs.

The Alliance MLA Patrick Brown, told The Irish News the proposed structure was an unviable “metal monstrosity” situated at a height that would only offer a mediocre view.

Sinn Féin’s South Down MP, Chris Hazzard, called it “an exciting vision that merits serious consideration,” but admitted a major effort was needed to protect the local ecosystem and accommodate increased visitor numbers.

He said questions also needed answered about the true cost for ratepayers, the effect on other projects like a new leisure centre in Newcastle, regeneration of the harbour area including the outdoor rock pool, and questions over how the gondola system would work.

“I would also like to appeal to public authorities, and public representatives alike to engage with this process in an open, honest, and transparent manner; as custodians of this area we owe it to future generations to get this decision right."

At a briefing for local press last week, senior council officials said the project would cause minimal environmental damage to Donard Park, and the cable cars could even travel within the trees instead of above them.

Speaking to the Mourne Observer, Conor Mallon, the council’s enterprise, regeneration and tourism director, said: “This is not a taxi ride halfway up the mountain for people to be released in an uncontrolled manner across the mountains.”

Mr Brown, said environmental concerns meant it was highly unlikely that hundreds of thousands of visitors would be allowed to explore the landscape after arriving in the visitor centre.

"Then you are in a situation where you have to keep all those people in a glass metal box. How is that a good tourist offering?"

He added:"If it means losing £30m not to build this metal monstrosity, then we're fine with that. We'll take the £14m of council money and ringfence it for sustainable infrastructure in Newcastle. You could actually do a hell of a lot with £14m in terms of improving walks, car parking, sustainable eco tourism schemes, maybe even a proper swimming pool or leisure centre in Newcastle which I find it was what people actually want."

Dawson Stelfox, an architect who has climbed Mount Everest, also said he was unconvinced by the plans so far.

Posting on the Mourne Gateway info Facebook page, he said: “Do they really think people will travel to the Mournes from all over the world for a five-minute ride to a glass box they are not allowed to escape from? Seems bizarre to me.”

A more positive reaction came from Newcastle resident Nick McKenna, who said: “The gondola would be great for those people who are unable (for health reasons or age) to enjoy the views.”

Public information sessions will take place in Newcastle on Thursday, at O’Hare’s, Central Promenade, between 10am to 3pm and 5pm-7pm.