A “world-class” plan to develop 100 miles of UNESCO forest parks and coastline has been given cross-party backing as councillors move to secure almost £30m of Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) funding.
The Narrow Water Bridge linking Warrenpoint with Omeath, due to open at the end of next year, is seen as a key part of the ambitious concept.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s strategy, policy and resources committee this week agreed to appoint a multi-disciplinary team to deliver an outline business case (OBC) for the major tourism vision.
Mournes Sinn Féin councillor Michael Rice said: “This [is] a positive step forward for the district.
“It does signal real momentum behind the delivery of high-quality tourism with long-term economic and social benefits.
“It is vitally important the council does what it can to retain the BRCD money and I look forward to monitoring this project.”
The City Deal is a £1bn pot of UK and NI government funds to be invested across a number of major projects in the region.
The council failed to deliver the £44m Mournes Gateway gondola last year after landowners the National Trust pulled out in May 2025 over environmental concerns.
Following the collapse of the Mournes plan, the local authority held emergency meetings with stakeholders to develop a new project to secure £29.2m from the BRCD.
A council report said a new immersive tourism trail would feature “world-class visitor amenities stretching from Carlingford Lough to Strangford Lough”.
The concept 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.
Mournes DUP councillor Henry Reilly said: “I have a concern that an outline business case is clearly going to cost a huge amount of money to produce.
“Are you absolutely certain this scheme is going to be accepted by the people who administer the BRCD?
“I just hope that it doesn’t come back on our face at a later stage if the outline business plan doesn’t stack up the way we hope it will.”
The local authority was previously criticised in chambers for not disclosing to the public a “six-figure” sum that was spent on the Mourne Gateway proposals.
A later council proposal suggested moving the controversial gondola element to the far side of the Co Down mountain range and setting it up in Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor.
But DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said he had “serious concerns about the potential impact the project would have on environmentally sensitive areas”.
The latest proposal to draw down the BRCD money seeks to harness 100 miles of coastline, three Blue Flag beaches, four Green Flag country and forest parks, a municipal park, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the UNESCO Global Geopark of Mourne Gullion Strangford.
Slieve Gullion SDLP councillor Pete Byrne said: “I think everyone in this chamber wants to do everything they can to retain that £29m.
“We have been here before and it is key that we have a tight document (OBC). It’s all very well having support of our partners, but it will come down to the strength of that document and we all need to get in behind it.
“We do need to spend money to get there.
“Do you see any implications on delivery of BRCD as I think it is time-bound to about 2030 to draw down funds?
“We are going to be the lowest project in terms of starting off in its infancy.”
The Mourne Gateway plan had faced opposition from the Alliance Party over financial and environmental concerns.
Alliance has now thrown its support behind the new plans, while still raising questions over costs.
Rowallane Alliance councillor Tierna Howie said: “We are in favour of this project and we want to keep this money in the district as well.
“But, equally, I do feel a little bit concerned and apprehensive about the cost and various other things.
“Previously, we have lost public money due to not knowing all the facts.”
Council CEO Marie Ward responded: “I think all BRCD propositions go through a phase of development.
“Our partners are very supportive on the strategy that has been presented.
“We have discussed time-frames, we will certainly not be the last project to start.
“We are hoping to complete the OBC by the end of this year and we will be moving as much as we can at pace through this journey.”
The chief executive added: “I would just put on record that we did not lose public money.
“We worked through a process, all of the risk had been declared and everybody was fully aware.
“If we want to deliver this on behalf of the council, then the entire chamber needs to be behind it.”
