Contentious plans for a £56m cable car close to Rostrevor have now been vetoed over “environmental concerns”.
This is a second major blow to the Mourne Gateway project which was originally intended for Slieve Donard.
Following the announcement by the National Trust to refuse a lease of lands at Slieve Donard for the development of the Mourne Mountains Gateway project, the Council began actively working with all partners to secure the £30million Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) investment in the Newry, Mourne and Down district area at Kilbroney Forest Park.
The initiative was supported by the Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor Chamber of Commerce – who described it as “a game-changer for tourism in the region – with the imminent opening of the Narrow Water Bridge, this would create a compelling tourism offering in the district, while also encouraging visitors to continue their journeys into the heart of the Mournes and beyond.”
However, a recent survey by “Say NO to Gondola in Rostrevor” had over 3,000 responses with nine out of ten respondents voicing an objection to the plans.
And now Minister Andrew Muir and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have also withdrawn support for the project citing numerous environmental concerns.
The statement from department read: “Minister Muir has serious concerns about the potential impact the project would have on environmentally sensitive areas, existing woodlands, ancient trees, wildlife habitats, biodiversity and the aesthetic and social value of the local landscape.”
Related: NMD Council considering bringing controversial gondola project to Kilbroney Forest Park
“Given these concerns, the department is not in a position to support the council’s proposal for the project to be constructed at Rostrevor Forest and Forest Service has accordingly conveyed this position to the council.”
In support of the motion to scrap plans for the Gondola development in Rostrevor, People Before Profit’s Newry & Armagh representative Marc Mac Seáin commented: “Like with Newcastle this is a win for people power in Rostrevor and Warrenpoint.
“The lion’s share of the cost for this project was due to come from local rates, a ludicrous proposal in the current unstable and difficult socio-economic climate.
“People locally aren’t crying out for an expensive cable car in environmentally sensitive areas, they’re crying out for basic investments in public services.
“We need publicly built housing, investments in local GP services, Daisy Hill, the city park in Newry. We shouldn’t be foisting another significant cost on local workers through rates yet again, with rates having risen by perhaps 25% already in recent years.
“Environmental activists locally through the Rostrevor Area Respecting the Environment (RARE) group and Say NO to Gondola in Rostrevor group were quick and firm with objections on an environmental and economic basis and clearly had support from the community, just like Save Our Donard (SOD) in Newcastle.
“The notion of transplanting this failed, uncalled for plan from a Newcastle site to Rostrevor has been predictably derailed. Here’s hoping our government doesn’t attempt yet another Lyle Lanley-esque scheme to build it elsewhere.
“When the council is hell-bent on promoting our local assets why not listen for what local people would actually call for investments in? For Newry the park in Albert Basin, or averting a fixed bridge closing off the town and Ireland’s oldest canal completely to tall ships.
“Warrenpoint locals want restoration of the sea baths. In Newcastle people want improvements on the existing infrastructure for visitors to the Mournes.”
Similarly, Independent Councillor for the Newry, Mourne and Down District area, Mark Gibbons backed the decision, adding: “I welcome the decision by Minister Andrew Muir and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to withhold support for this ill-judged proposal.
“His recognition of the environmental, social, and aesthetic value of Rostrevor Forest and Kilbroney Park and the serious risks this project posed to it, is a decision rooted in common sense and environmental stewardship.
“I also want to extend my sincere thanks to the local community campaigners for their tireless and passionate work in opposing this project.
“Their commitment to protecting the beauty and integrity of our natural landscape has been nothing short of inspiring, and this outcome is a testament to their perseverance.”
