NI to replace Giants Causeway with Golf Course

The Guardian

Work on a £100 million golf resort near the famous Giant's Causeway on Ulster's north coast is due to get under way later this year after a landmark ruling at the Northern Ireland High Court.

Mr Justice Weatherup dismissed a legal challenge by the National Trust which claimed the development would have a major environmental impact on the UNESCO designated World Heritage site.

More than a decade after the initial planning application was lodged, the judge endorsed a decision last year by the Northern Ireland Environment minister Alex Attwood to give the go-ahead for a championship course and five star hotel outside the village of Bushmills, Co Antrim, a mile and a half from the Causeway, one of the country's main tourist attractions.

The ruling was a personal triumph for the US-based Northern Ireland businessman Dr Alistair Hanna who is heading up the investment and advisory group involved in the Bushmills Dunes golf resort and spa scheme, and which he claims could create up to 360 direct jobs and an estimated 300 more through suppliers and construction.

Finlay Harp

I think your title is a bit wide of the mark!

Kevinmarkham

Finlay Harp wrote: »

I think your title is a bit wide of the mark!

True, but I like The Guardian's ambiguity.

We need another golf course like we need a hole in the head. Money talks and no one gives a flying **** about the area's environment/heritage. Oh I'm sure it'll work out fine but I won't be surprised if 'You've been Trumped' plans a sequel on Northern Ireland's shores.

The Guardian

my thoughts exactly
except this time its a world unesco site
pretty stupid decision in fairness

The_Architect

I disagree with both of you here.

I think Ireland does need new golf courses if they are adding something. Another links is always welcome if developed properly. With David Kidd at the helm it should be excellent. The hotel will provide much needed accommodation that will provide the backbone for Portrush lobbying the R&A to get The Open back. The area needed one more course to become a full-on destination... And the whole development won't be visible from the Giant's Causeway - so that's a red herring.

At the very least, I'm keeping an open mind.

Agree we could do without a course developed in the same way as Trump.

sydneybound

The_Architect wrote: »

I disagree with both of you here.

I think Ireland does need new golf courses if they are adding something. Another links is always welcome if developed properly. With David Kidd at the helm it should be excellent. The hotel will provide much needed accommodation that will provide the backbone for Portrush lobbying the R&A to get The Open back. The area needed one more course to become a full-on destination... And the whole development won't be visible from the Giant's Causeway - so that's a red herring.

At the very least, I'm keeping an open mind.

Agree we could do without a course developed in the same way as Trump.

I agree with the architech on this one. I know Ireland has many courses but another excellent layout provided its constructed correctly would not go a miss. From what I can gather the hotel will be built 1.5k away from the causeway so not exactly on it.

Within a stones throw you'll have this course, Portrush and Portstewart. Cracking weekend away playing world class links courses.

Also if St. Patricks golf course in Donegal ever goes ahead I would be behind that too. I've seen photos of the land and the scenery is stunning. Trust me any sort of construction work in these times is badly needed in Donegal.

Senna

The golf course itself wouldn't be a major concern, its the 120-bedroom hotel and 70 golf lodges that are a major construction development close to a world heritage site.

BigChap1759

The Guardian wrote: »

my thoughts exactly
except this time its a world unesco site
pretty stupid decision in fairness

They are not building it on the Giant's Causeway

thewobbler

Senna wrote: »

The golf course itself wouldn't be a major concern, its the 120-bedroom hotel and 70 golf lodges that are a major construction development close to a world heritage site.

Wrong way around imho.

The most important thing the (beautiful) north coast of Ireland needs to attract more tourism, and more upmarket tourism, is decent accommodation. Apart from the boutique Bushmills Inn, anyone thinking of a golf break to take in Portrush, Portstewart or Castlerock, or a family break to take in the Causeway, is faced with the dump that is the Ramada in Portrush, or driving 10-15 miles inland.

I'm delighted with this decision. I work for a company that markets tourism in NI, and let me tell you, this will make the job a damn sight easier.