Plans for a proposed luxury holiday park at Drumbeg in Northern Ireland have entered the public consultation stage, with the applicant outlining plans for a low-density tourism development at the Gill Hall Estate.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has been notified of the proposal, which would be located on Ballyskeagh Road within the Lagan Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Detailed plans are expected to be submitted later this year, following a 12-week public consultation period.
According to Northern Ireland World, the proposed holiday park is intended to provide a range of visitor accommodations alongside on-site facilities and amenities. The development would incorporate landscaping and water features as part of its design, with the applicant emphasizing a lower-density approach to the site.
The online consultation states: “The site falls within the Lagan Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with access to the Lagan Towpath a short distance to the northeast at the Drum Bridge Car Park.
“The proposed holiday park will provide a high-quality, low density tourism development that offers visitors the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of this area.
“Unlike more intensive forms of holiday accommodation, the proposal is centred on spacious layouts, generous landscaping, water features and a carefully planned environment that prioritises quality over quantity.
“The development will provide a range of attractive accommodation options together with high quality on-site facilities and amenities.
“The emphasis is on creating a high-end visitor experience where guests can relax, enjoy outdoor activities and explore the surrounding area while benefiting from well-designed facilities integrated within an attractive landscape setting.”
The proposal would place the development within an area where landscape considerations are likely to be an important part of the planning process. For outdoor hospitality operators and developers, the project highlights how proposed tourism developments in protected or designated landscapes may need to balance accommodation capacity and commercial facilities with site design, landscaping, environmental considerations, and access to nearby recreational assets.
The consultation process is also providing an opportunity for potential concerns and suggestions to be considered before a formal planning application is submitted. The consultation materials state: “Feedback will be taken into consideration by the design team and potential amendments made when finalising the proposal.”
The public consultation will close on November 3, 2026. Following the consultation, the applicant plans to submit a formal planning application to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
The project remains at the proposal stage, and details could change before the planning application is finalized. For businesses operating in the outdoor hospitality sector, the development may be relevant as a potential addition to Northern Ireland’s visitor accommodation supply, particularly given its proposed focus on higher-end accommodations, outdoor recreation, and integration with the surrounding landscape.
