New £57m wellness resort planned for Northern Ireland

Plans have been revealed for a new £57 million (€66 million) luxury wellness resort in Belfast, Northern Ireland – one of the first of its kind in the country. 

Speaking to Irish News, developer Lexy Halliday said of the proposed Bushmills Resort: “Our aim is to encourage people to get out there and get active, walk, cycle, surf, swim, soak in the beauty and breathe the clean air; then return to an environment where wellness is integrated into the fabric and heart of our design.”

“Our vision is built on a number of pillars. We want to maximise the potential of the site and location through the creation of a unique and diverse resort of appeal to domestic and international visitors. One that promotes health and wellness, not just for tourists but for the local community too,” Halliday added.

While few details are currently available for the development, a Pre Application Notification (PAN), submitted to Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council by L&J Eagry in early April, included plans for a 150-room four or five-star hotel, as well as 80 luxury eco-lodges, a restaurant, a pool and a spa. 

If approved, the resort will provide a massive boost to local tourism and could provide up to 350 jobs in what Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council Alderman Norman Hillis described as “exciting and encouraging news for the local community and tourism.” 

The application is currently under community consultation, with the council expected to make a decision on the application in the coming months.