New designs for the £50m Mourne Gateway project are being kept away from the public.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) councillors were invited to a confidential briefing on Monday (Feb 24) for an update on the development.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that up to date images of concept designs were provided to elected reps by 'Arup', the project's integrated consultancy team.
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A public event organised on behalf of NMDDC was held in November (2024) where the previous images were on display. It is understood the new designs vary significantly from those previously published by the local authority.
Images of the visitor centre at Thomas Quarry in the Mournes and the Donard Park connecting centre are understood to have been viewed behind closed doors.
The council agreed in October 2024, to appoint a specialist gondola consultant, though the new designs for the cable car transport remain unknown at this time.
The major Co Down development is to gain a capped amount of £30m from the Belfast Regional City Deal (BRCD) with the council to pay an agreed £14m, plus any increased costs that may occur.
A council SP&R (strategy, policy and resources) report in March 2024 stated that the “estimate for the project had increased from a total of £33.6m to £44m” when the business case was secured in September 2021.
The report added that the Department for the Economy (DfE) had reviewed NMDDC estimates and advised its estimate for the project at “£50m…contrary to the advice from the council’s professional cost consultant”.
A follow up meeting for councillors is expected in April, though it is not known when the public will be shown the latest designs.
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