£100m golf resort to tee off tourism boost
A £100m golf course development on the North Antrim coast will allow tourism chiefs to build on successes by Northern Irish golfers, according to tourism minister Arlene Foster.
The Bushmills Dunes Golf Resort and Spa will be located close to neighbouring Royal Portrush golf club where the Irish Open will take place this summer.
Foster said the project, expected to create 360 jobs, would "significantly boost" Northern Ireland's reputation as a golf destination in the US, Republic of Ireland, Great Britain and Europe.
"This is good news for the North Coast and it demonstrates that Northern Ireland is open for business and looking to a more prosperous future at a time when there is much concern about the global economy," said Foster.
"I am hopeful that this decision will help us to attract further major golf competitions to Northern Ireland."
The development includes an 18-hole golf course and five-star hotel and conference facility. Announcing the approval, environment minister Alex Attwood said the recent success of Northern Ireland's golf champions has created an international interest in golfing opportunities in the country.
Granting approval in one of Northern Ireland's longest running planning disputes had been a "demanding decision", Attwood added.
Foster said the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has pumped cash into the development of the Causeway Coastal Route in a bid to provide visitors with reasons to stay longer and spend more.
"Research has shown that links golf has substantial appeal to the higher spending North American and incentive visitor, who are a primary target market for resorts of this type," said Foster.
"Developing another world class resort will allow us to further build on the Irish Open event in June and on the recent success of Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell, all of which is focusing huge attention on Northern Ireland as a golf destination."
The National Trust had opposed the plan and concerns had been raised about the likely impact on the the World Heritage Site at Giant's Causeway, but Attwood said he had acted "with a high vigilance and challenging approach".
