By Lisa Ramsden
Plans to develop the first treetop walk in Northern Ireland at Castlewellan Forest Park have taken a leap forward. Just six months after the district council revealed its plans for the site, a council committee has approved an outline business case for the project.
The council’s Strategy, Policy and Resources committee has also approved the allocation of a budget to progress the scheme. The council plans to appoint an integrated consultancy team to “progress the design development of the infrastructure enabling works”.
Last December, the council revealed it was “exploring” the potential of “installing Northern Ireland’s first treetop walk at Castlewellan Forest Park”. The local authority added that—at an Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism committee meeting two months previously—councillors agreed to sign a letter of intent with EAK Ireland Treetops Walk Ltd to work together on the feasibility of the “sustainable tourism” project. It was also agreed to visit a similar facility at Avondale in County Wicklow.
The latest development has been welcomed by local elected representatives. Cllr Roisin Howell and her colleague, South Down MLA Cathy Mason, said the treetop walk would benefit the area. “I’m delighted to share that we are now one step closer to delivering this unique and exciting experience to our town,” Cllr Howell said. “This will be a very welcome update for our local businesses and economy, and for residents and tourists alike.”
Mrs Howell added: “Sinn Féin will continue to work with the council and ensure that this project is delivered in Castlewellan.” Joining her party colleague in welcoming the project, Mrs Mason said: “The treetop walk project will boost our local tourism sector, promote health and wellbeing, and provide an interactive and immersive experience for Castlewellan. We look forward to its delivery and the benefits that it will bring.”
SDLP councillor Laura Devlin was part of a council delegation that travelled to Wicklow last November to see the treetop walk in Avondale. “I was blown away by the sustainable tourist attraction in such a beautiful area,” Cllr Devlin said this week. “The capital works were done in such a way that preserved and enhanced the surrounding woodland. I was delighted that the operators selected Castlewellan as their park of choice for a similar attraction and their only visitor experience here in the north.
“The park in the south was not only a joy to walk around but also had huge educational value too. Our localised economy here in Slieve Croob/The Mournes lost out on the Gateway to the Mournes funding opportunity, which for many, especially those in hospitality, has been a disappointing blow. So to see the treetop walk proposal move forward is extremely welcome and much needed.
“Built into the work of the Integrated Consultancy Team, I want to see community engagement, some additional details around traffic progression through Castlewellan itself as we know at certain times this can be an issue, as well as all the thorough environmental assessments that we would expect in such a precious demesne. We have such a stunning landscape but I was always told by tourism experts that we needed tourism hooks to attract the visitors and retain them, and their spend, in the district for longer—so let’s hope this project continues to progress and develop so the wider economy can benefit.”
Castlewellan Forest Park is promoted as having one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe, with incredible panoramic views.
The council stated in its December announcement that “the aim of the innovative project is to create a sustainable visitor experience that provides close-to-nature recreation and showcases the natural beauty of Castlewellan Forest Park while providing an adventurous and educational attraction for both residents and visitors.”
A council spokesperson went on to say the proposed walk “would be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, offering visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the forest canopy, enjoy breathtaking views, and engage with the park’s rich biodiversity from a whole new perspective.”
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