The Planning Service has given the green light to a £10m hotel and chalet complex at Glasdrumman in Co Down which could create 50 full-time and 30 part-time jobs.

Local developers Liam Murphy and William Smith, of Glasgiven Contracts, said they were delighted by the decision but still needed to secure formal approval from Newry & Mourne Council.

Mr Murphy said: “We want to build a three-star hotel with approximately 50 bedrooms and an additional 18 to 20 self-catering chalets at Glasdrumman, midway between Newcastle and Kilkeel.

“This has been a long process. It has been three years since we lodged the application. Now we can get on with the next step which is approval by Newry and Mourne District Council.

“There has been no new hotel development in the coastal area of South Down for the past 20 years.

“In fact some 12 to 16 hotels have closed their doors. This will go some way to redressing the balance. Tourism needs this type of investment and we are only too glad to bring this project to our community.”

The announcement was welcomed by South Down MP Eddie McGrady and local SDLP councillor Karen McKevitt.

Mr McGrady said: “This facility will not only assist our local tourism industry but it will provide a local source of employment, from the building process to the day to day running of the hotel. I look forward to the completion of the project and the opening of what will be a gateway hotel to the Mourne Mountains.”

Councillor McKevitt, who until recently was the chair of the planning committee of Newry and Mourne District Council, said she she was pleased by the verdict from Planning Service.

“I welcome the decision by the Planning Service to put this application in front of the Newry and Mourne District Council for approval,” she said.

“The council has had several meetings and we welcome this project which is much needed within this community.”