People in Newcastle are divided over the proposals for a new £44m gondola (cable car) project which would ferry people up the Mourne Mountains.
The Mourne Mountains Gateway Project would see the disused Thomas Quarry in the Mournes transformed into a visitor centre and viewing point.
Around £30m for the project would come from the Belfast Region City Deal, with Newry, Mourne and Down council providing the rest.
Read more: Mournes Gateway: First look at new plans for cable car 'gondola' to ferry visitors up mountains
The council is seeking opinions from the public ahead of appointing a design team for the project by autumn.
Belfast Live spoke to people in Newcastle, where the proposals have had a mixed reception.
"This part of the world was recently voted one of the most beautiful parts, maybe ninth in the world and the cable car would be a total travesty in terms of what it would do to the mountains," one woman said.
"The mountains have suffered enough with fires and environmental damage in recent years, so I'm totally against it."
Another woman told Belfast Live that she hoped more information would be made available to the public so they could make an informed decision.
"I think it's great that it could potentially open up The Mournes to people with disabilities or maybe the elderly who wouldn't necessarily get to experience the views," she added.
"However I'm also very aware that already we have to protect the environment and local ecosystems up there, so it's not an easy decision and I don't envy those who have to make that decision."
One set of friends were all in favour of the project and said it could act as a significant draw for the area.
"Fantastic, just what Newcastle needs and I think it'll then attract a lot of people," the first woman said.
"We have got a fabulous, famous golf course here so that's the second big attraction for Newcastle as well."
"I love running up and down The Mournes, it's absolutely fantastic and the views at the top are just unbelievable, unrivalled anywhere in the world," her friend said.
"So the more people that get up and see it, it puts Newcastle on the map, I'm all for it."
However one man said he felt that other improvements in the area would benefit a greater range of people.
"My objection would be I think it's a waste of money that's only maybe going to be open two months of the year because of weather conditions," he said.
"I think the money would be better spent on a leisure centre for the people all year in Newcastle."
Local Alliance councillor Andrew McMurray said his party had strong objections to the project being greenlit.
"We have real concerns about this project, we have concerns about the impact it's going to have visually and environmentally not just on Newcastle, but the surrounding areas," he said.
"But also the financial undertaking, these things aren't cheap to install and they're incredibly expensive to run.
"We're just really, really concerned that if the figures the council has put together for the visitor requirements are correct, this really will be a millstone financially around the neck of the council.
"Obviously we want to see sustainable tourism in The Mournes, I'm an outdoor instructor and that's kind of my gig, but I'm just not convinced that this is what Newcastle needs or wants or the wider Newry, Mourne and Down area needs or wants."
His colleague on the council, the DUP's Glyn Hanna, said he would be happy with the development so long as certain guarantees were made and welcomed the fact that £30m of the financing would come from the Belfast City Region Deal.
"I would only be in favour of it as long as all the environmental protections are in place," he said.
"I've seen as much of the detail as they have at the moment and during the construction of the gondola that's going from the Donard park up to Thomas' Quarry, there's not even one tree that will be damaged, they'll not be removing one tree.
"The gondola will be going across the mountain with nine pylons to carry it up there.
"They way it'll be built is like the way ships are built now, it'll be in modular sections and then taken up either the road or by helicopter.
"So I'm happy as long as there's no damage done to the mountains, because we think it'll be good for tourism in South Down and it'll be a unique attraction, because I don't think there's anything like it in Ireland."
READ NEXT:
- Bangor GP receptionist of 29 years to retire after raising over £76K for local charities
- UDA feud: Four further arrests as PSNI issue update after 11 homes attacked in Ards and North Down
- Fun for all the family at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens this Easter
- House in Donaghadee petrol bombed as Co Down drugs feud continues
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
