BBC NI south-east reporter
BBCA council that has twice seen its plans to develop a cable car style ride in the Mourne Mountains fail will be given an opportunity to submit an alternative project to funders.
Newry, Mourne and Down Council had been hoping to receive £30m from the Belfast Region City Deal – with the balance of around £15m to come from the council.
Initially planned for Slieve Donard in Newcastle, the project was moved to Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor in May after the National Trust, which owns land on Slieve Donard, refused to grant a lease.
This week the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said it would not be allowing the council to use land it controls (via Forest Service) at Kilbroney.
According to local councillor Jarlath Tinnelly the council has “no plan C”.
“This project is clearly dead in the water,”he said.
“Council is now trying to come up with another scheme and I don’t think that is a credible position.
“I first heard about this in the press… councillors weren’t event told through official channels in the council. What the plans are, what other alternatives there are I am not aware of because there has been no official engagement from council to councillors.”
In its statement on the matter the council said it remained, “committed to securing the £30m BRCD (The Belfast Region City Deal) investment for the district and is actively exploring options with partners.”
In Rostrevor on Thursday locals were discussing where they believe the money would be better spent.
One of them is Gerry Sloan, he said he thinks the funding should be divided between towns and villages in south Down.
“The outdoor swimming pool in Warrenpoint, the marina they’d talked about, housing in Rostrevor, new playing fields in Rostrevor and around the coast to Newcastle, Attical, Kilkeel, Greencastle,” he said.
However, a statement from Belfast City Council which stands over the wider City Deal project suggested this approach wouldn’t be viable.
“NMDDC (Newry, Mourne and Down Council) will be given an opportunity to submit an alternative project in line with the overall objectives of the Deal, for consideration by the Executive Board in liaison with UK Government and NI Government Departments,” the statement read.
“Alternative project options would need to align to Belfast Region City Deal objectives of creating a step change in inclusive economic growth and creating more and better jobs for the Belfast region and would require an outline business case and a full business case, which demonstrate value for money and financial sustainability, approved by the accountable department.”
Newry, Mourne and Down CouncilLast month it was confirmed that nearly £1.35m had been spent on the gondola project at the point it left Newcastle to come to Rostrevor.
That cost will have risen in the interim.
Newry Mourne and Down Council now faces the challenge of presenting an alternative, suitable project or it will lose out on £30m of investment.
To this end the council has stated, “Further updates will be provided in the coming weeks.”
