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The Newry, Mourne and Down District Council 'Plan B' proposal to move the location of their Mourne Mountains Gateway Project from Slieve Donard to Kilbroney Forest Park looks like it may also be doomed to failure following a statement from DAERA saying that the Department is not in a position to support the council’s proposal. The Forest Service run by DAERA own Rostrevor Forest/ Kilbroney Forest.
The project planned to build a visitors centre on Slieve Donard served by a gondola but the National Trust who owned the proposed site refused to lease it. New Council plans emerged at the end of May 2025 to move the location of the project to Kilbroney Forest Park but these were met with major criticism from local conservationists. Belfast Region City Deal granted £30M to the project which was expected to cost over £40m.
The statement documented DAERA Minister Andrew Muir's concerns: "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."
It added "Minister Muir greatly values Rostrevor Forest and its role within the wider landscape context, with many important and significant environmental designations both within Rostrevor Forest and the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These include the designated Rostrevor Oakwood SAC and other ancient and long-established woodland areas of the forest. Rostrevor Forest shares a boundary with the Western Mournes & Kilfeaghan Upper ASSI, which is also part of the Mourne AONB."
The DAERA statement explained that they have informed the council of their position "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."
The statement added that Minister Muir 'greatly values' the work undertaken to date by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in partnership with Forest Service and he wishes to see such collaboration continue. He mentioned the significant recreational development work ongoing at Castlewellan Forest Park at present and welcomed Council’s exploration of the potential to add a Treetop walkway facility at the Forest Park.
Crotlieve Councillor Mark Gibbons welcomed the Ministers decision. "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."
The Crotlieve Councillor added "At a time when vital local amenities such as the Council owned Warrenpoint Baths continue to deteriorate from years of neglect, and when the long overdue upgrade of the Kilbroney Park pitches remains unaddressed, it is deeply disappointing to still see significant resources being considered for a project that is neither a priority nor rooted in community demand.
"The people of Warrenpoint and Rostrevor have contributed faithfully through their rates for generations. They deserve meaningful investment in the facilities that matter, not rushed vanity projects that risk squandering funds and disrespecting local needs."
