The National Trust says it will not be leasing land to Newry Council for its multi-million Mourne Mountains Gateway Project.
The proposed £44m scheme would have involved the development of a 1km cable car structure from Donard Park up to a disused quarry, approximately a third of the way up the mountain.
The National Trust said it had “engaged in goodwill with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council” but “we have consistently expressed our serious concerns about the potential environmental impact of this proposed project as far back as eight years ago and encouraged other options to be considered”.
The statement continued: “We have never endorsed the project and have not been a partner in its development.
“Following assessment of the information available to us…the National Trust believes that the proposed gondola project and visitor centre would risk placing additional pressures on already degraded upland habitats.
“With the known existing recreational and other pressures on the protected areas, as a conservation charity we cannot support a project of this scale that would be inviting substantial visitor numbers into fragile and threatened areas of the Mournes landscape and therefore we will not be considering a lease at Thomas’s Quarry.”
In response, NMD Council said they were “disappointed by the National Trust’s decision”.
A spokesperson said: “This decision is particularly frustrating as a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is already underway, to consider and address the specific concerns raised by the Trust.
“A key aspect of the Mourne Mountains Gateway Project is the unique opportunity to consider visitor management to the wider Mournes area alongside the specific project location. This included proposed controls and interventions that would further enhance, protect and restore the fragile environment.
“The project – featuring a gondola from Donard Park to a new centre at Thomas’s Mountain – had tremendous potential to revitalise our region creating significant employment and attracting up to 365,000 yearly visitors by 2029.
“The National Trust’s decision not to grant a lease result in a huge project economic loss for the area, undermining a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Newcastle and the surrounding region. We understand that this will be devastating for the local area which is dependent on a rural economy. Many locals welcomed the project to further bolster Newcastle and the Mournes as a global tourist attraction.
“We are currently engaging with the Department for the Economy and the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) partners to consider next steps.
“We continue to advocate for sustainable development that balances conservation with the vital economic needs of our local communities.”
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