Gondola relocation plan a slap in the face for the people of Rostrevor, says protest group
The plan by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was revealed on Wednesday afternoon.
The local authority said it was 'exploring' the option of moving the gondola, also called the Mourne Gateway Project, to Kilbroney Forest Park.
The project was originally earmarked for Newcastle, only to be axed earlier this month.
Doubts were raised over the future of £30m in project funding offered through the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) after the National Trust refused to lease the council land on Slieve Donard for the project.
The council said retaining the funding would require the agreement of all BRCD partners, and any proposal 'must meet the BRCD objectives to enhance the attractiveness of Northern Ireland as a world-class visitor destination'.
Kilbroney Forest Park is owned and run by the council, which said the gondola had the potential to become a 'transformative visitor experience', with 'environmental sensitivity'a key part of the plan.
The council added: 'The cable car route is yet to be determined, but it will not pass through the ancient oak woodland and development would be carried out in a sustainable manner that protects the park's natural assets.'
The council also pointed out that the project was supported by the Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor Chamber of Commerce, which described it as 'a game-changer for tourism in the region'.
Others in the area, however, are staunchly opposed.
Bronagh Vos, from Rostrevor, started the 'Say NO to Gondola in Rostrevor' Facebook page on Wednesday evening, with more than 150 people joining the group overnight.
A poll on the page shows overwhelming opposition to the project.
Bronagh, who uses the park daily, said the council's decision to announce the project without community consultation showed a 'complete disregard' for the people of Rostrevor.
'The proposal to relocate the failed gondola project to Rostrevor, without any form of public consultation with the local community, existing businesses and clubs, is unacceptable and alarming,' she added.
'This decision shows a complete disregard for the people who live here, the integrity of our landscape, and the principles of transparent, community-led planning.'
She said Rostrevor was not a 'dumping ground' for rejected projects, and called for the 'abandonment of any plans being advanced behind closed doors without local community input'.
Independent councillor Mark Gibbons said he was notified of the plan just minutes before the announcement was made.
He said the council's lack of transparency was 'demoralising' and the decision was a 'hurried mess'.
'There are many other things this money could be spent on, such as the renovation of Warrenpoint Baths, a community centre for Warrenpoint and the upgrading of Kilbroney Park pitches, to name just a few,' he added.
'The people of Warrenpoint and Rostrevor have waited long enough and have paid enough rates over the decades to warrant proper respect.
'This project seems to be a hurried mess of disrespect and squander.'
Mr Gibbons warned that his confidence in the council was 'at tipping point' and described the authority's lack of notice as worrying.
'I would call for a public consultation on this matter immediately. It really should have been done before it was announced,' he said.
'There needs to be measures put in place where the community is not being kept in the dark and the council can provide us with basic information, not just hoodwink us into these ludicrous decisions.
'St Bronagh's GAA and the Rossowen soccer club have been campaigning for changing facilities for the past few years, and are getting nowhere.
'The irony of this is that if it goes ahead, the first thing people will see on their gondola ride is young children getting changed in a ditch on the side of the pitches because the money was not spent on what is needed most.'
Bronagh's GAA secretary Richy Byrne said his club and Rossowen FC had been campaigning for changing facilities for the past five years.
He described the announcement as a 'total shock' and said it was 'hugely frustrating' after lobbying for basic facilities for half a decade.
Mr Byrne continued: 'It makes us wonder, was there any intent on behalf of the council to fulfil the needs of young kids in the area, or are they just concerned with looking elsewhere?'
The clubs asked the council to 'make this project an urgent priority, to take a firm grip of the application, and bring it to planning for a decision without any further delay so that work can begin to give the local area, our members and community a facility that is fit for purpose, on par with other council lead facilities across the country, and something we can be proud of'.
However, Sinn Fein's Sinead Ennis welcomed the relocation plan.
The South Down MLA said: 'It is welcome news that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are doing all they can to secure the £30m BRCD investment in the area.
'This would be a game changer, helping to unlock the full tourism potential of Kilbroney Forest Park.
'Sinn Fein is ambitious for Kilbroney. We want to work with others to build on its well-established popularity and ensure it continues to thrive as a destination for locals and visitors alike.
'I believe that, with the right investment Kilbroney Park, could become the number one adventure tourism destination on the island of Ireland.'
Ms Ennis added that this development, on top of the upcoming opening of Narrow Water Bridge, would draw visitors to the area.
'This ambitious project could have huge social and economic benefits for the area,' she continued.
'Protecting the environment is central to this proposal. The exact route for the cable car is still under consideration, but it will not cross the ancient oak woodland.
'Any development will follow sustainable practices to safeguard the park's natural features.
'I look forward to seeing how this project develops and the positive impact it will have on Rostrevor, Warrenpoint and the wider South Down region.'
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council was asked if it would launch a public consultation.
While it did not address this directly, it said: 'The Council is now actively exploring a proposal to deliver the Mourne Mountains Gateway project in Kilbroney Forest Park and looks forward to working closely with community stakeholders, environmental experts, BRCD and tourism partners to develop the Kilbroney Park proposal to ensure it reflects the shared ambition for a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future.'
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