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REDEVELOPMENT OF GUYSMERE CENTRE, CASTLEROCK

Managed by The Guysmere Committee (GC), acting on behalf of the Presbytery of Coleraine

and Limavady of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

About the Guysmere Centre

The GUYSMERE Centre is owned by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and is located in Castlerock. Working in partnership with many different organisations, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland plays a key role in providing a holistic ministry to the physical, mental, spiritual and social needs of people in the church and wider community. A ministry that can be echoed and enhanced in a reimagined and redeveloped world class Centre for Mission and Ministry.

History of Guysmere Centre

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland purchased this site for a Boys Auxiliary Camp, the first of which was held in 1926. Camps continued to be held annually under various titles and for differing groups over the next 80 years during which time thousands of young people enjoyed rigorous physical activity, lively social events and good food while being presented with the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ. Castlerock Presbyterian Church was closely associated with the running of these camps over this period. The facilities were enhanced by the construction of the present buildings which opened in 1975 and which closed in 2009. (See Annex 1).

About Castlerock

Castlerock is a seaside village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is situated five miles west of Coleraine, just off the A2 route between Coleraine and Limavady and is part of Causeway Coast and Glens District Council area. The village is serviced by the Belfast to Derry/Londonderry railway line. It offers numerous pursuits including surfing, walks on the beach and in the woods, ruins and gardens of the National Trust’s Downhill Demesne. It boasts cliff walks dominated by the Mussenden Temple, one of the most photographed scenes in Northern Ireland, which is particularly popular with Game of Thrones tourists. There is also a Golf Club with a 27-hole links courses bounded by the beach. It has a bowling club. The resident population of Castlerock settlement (2011 census) was 1,256 people of which 17.99% are under 16 years of age and 22.93% are over 65 years of age.

The village has seen a rapid expansion in the number and proportion of second homes since the 1990s. It is very popular with summer tourists. It lies within the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding

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Natural Beauty and has a significant tourist function, being host to two large caravan parks and a golf course. In addition to its beachfront location, Castlerock is host to several National Trust attractions in the form of Downhill Demesne, Mussenden Temple and the Black Glen which is a popular walking route in addition to the 17th Century thatched cottage Hezlett House.

Any new redevelopment must have the full support of the local community and add to the vitality of the area and the cohesion of the community.

Location

The Guysmere site is situated on one of the most prime locations on the North Coast. A location map of the site is outlined in Annex 1 and a proposed site map for the new development is outlined in Annex 2.

Project Proposal

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland wishes to explore the feasibility of creating a high-quality Centre incorporating residential accommodation, with inspirational views of the beach and beyond, to facilitate church groups, youth groups and others for week-long or weekend stays, and for individuals, families or small groups who require a quiet retreat for weekend or week-long stays.

It is important that the redevelopment takes advantage of this prime location but also complements and adds value to other community-based activities and contributes to the creation of a sustainable, accessible environment in a rural location. The development should:

• be sensitive to its coastal location

• contributes to a thriving local economy

• contribute to the growth of a healthy and safe community

It is proposed that the redeveloped facility will have:

• Conference and retreat facilities for up to 70 residents on site to encourage the spiritual formation and growth for all age groups.

• Social interaction space for members of the local community

• Facilities for groups, individuals/families utilising and exploring the natural environment of forest walks, beach, surf and other water-based activities and enjoying the local leisure facilities, golfing, etc.

To deliver these objectives and to ensure sustainability, the following will be included:

• A stand-alone coffee shop designed to maximise the surrounding views, with kitchen and toilet facilities and an outside patio dining area

• En-suite Bedroom accommodation for approximately 70 people

• Lounge and Dining facilities for approximately 70 with external patio areas.

• A Kitchen facility to serve the above

• A Foyer/Reception area

• An area to service Water Sports and Beach Activities, with equipment storage, showering and changing facilities which would have separate beach access.

• Drying Rooms

• Car parking for 30+ cars.

An Architect has produced detailed concept plans and a Planning Consultant has been engaged to advise on any relevant planning constraints and construction costs have been estimated by a Quantity Surveyor which will also be made available.

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3: Feasibility Study underway:

The purpose of the feasibility study is to investigate how the redevelopment of the Guysmere Centre would be suitable for providing a range of services including a new residential centre for youth groups, walking groups, adult and family-based activities, and accommodation for quality coaching classes through local surf school activities as outlined in the attached plans. This should lead to positive mental and physical health and well-being, improved economic vitality of the area, greater cohesion and sustainability of the local community and assist the Presbyterian Church in Ireland in fulfilling its ministry and mission objectives by facilitating the activities of faith-based groups whose principles are in alignment with the church’s core values.

• It should take cognisance of all relevant planning guidance for redevelopments along the Causeway Coast.

• It should consider the need for such a development, its benefits for the local or regional economy and potential impacts on the environment and if and how it promotes the enhancement and regeneration of the area.

• This study should also explore the potential for other services that potentially could be provided from the space.

• It should consult with the GC’s Planning Consultant regarding any considerations or restrictions to redevelopment on the site and any additional studies that may need to be undertaken given its location in Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and beside a Local Landscape Policy Area1 and consider how the development impacts on the nature conservation archaeological/ built heritage, geological or landscape value of the area.

4: Overall purpose of Commission

To prepare a concise feasibility study which investigates:

• The evidence of need for the redevelopment opportunity

• The viability of the project

• Assessment of other options other than the redevelopment option including Do Nothing;

potential reuse of the existing buildings; the sale of the site on the open market; other site

options

• The options for partnership approach/ models to deliver the redevelopment opportunities

• Identification of other users of the facility for revenue generation

• Building design and cost including furnishings and fixtures and any additional studies that may

be required (with the already appointed QS and Architect)

• Potential legal and governance structures to deliver the redevelopment project including

potential partners/ operators for the various parts of the redevelopment

• Sources of funding in consultation with GC to complete the building stages

• Planning permission issues and other legal/ statutory approvals or environmental impact

assessments that may be required (with the already appointed Planning Consultant)

• The evidence that the redevelopment will contribute to a more vibrant economy in Castlerock,

a sustainable and accessible environment and to a healthy and safe community and one that is

sensitive to its coastal location

• Preparation of a presentation incorporating the findings of the Feasibility Study

1 See Causeway Coast and Glens Local Development Plan Discussion Paper 7: The Coast for further guidance on this.

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8: Project Objectives

The feasibility study should include the following key stages/sections:

• Project Background – provide a background to and description of the proposed project

and identify relevant strategic context - local, regional and global.

• Need & Demand – identify the need and demand for the project – for example, through:

o Consultation with the GC

o Consultation with Friends of Guysmere, CSSM (Scripture Union NI Camps) and

other potential users

o Consultation with the local community including Castlerock Community

Association, Scouts, Village Beautiful, Castlerock Playgroup, the Wednesday Club

Senior Citizens Group, Castlerock Golf Club, Castlerock Bowling Club, walking

groups who may use the facility, cycling groups, Long Line Surf School Benone,

Downhill Hostel, The Surf Project Portrush (the GC will assist with the organisation

of collective meetings dues to the timeline required)

o Consultation with, for example, National Trust, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough

Council including its planning division2, Tourism NI, Heritage and Environment

Division of the Department for Communities; Sustrans, Department for

Infrastructure to name a few and as relevant to the study;

o Consultation with local estate agents/ valuers;

o Consultation with other potential partners / operators who could potentially use

the facility;

o Identifying/collating relevant statistics and reports about the area and linked to

the need for the facility including the new Village Plan 20183 4

o Exploring the current market/competition for the proposed project/services,

including any potential income streams and identifying any displacement issues;

o Identifying scope for innovation;

o Identifying fit with the ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and its mission;

o Identifying fit with the Local Community Plan, the Local Development Plan, youth

provision in the area and any other relevant plans.

• (Note: given the time line, the GC will assist with contact details and organising meetings)

• Options – identify, explore and appraise options for meeting the identified needs

including Do Nothing; potential reuse of the existing buildings; the sale of the site on the

open market; other site options; and scaled options.

• Costs – identify the projected costs for the identified options - to include:

o Capital and revenue costs for developing the capital project;

o Revenue/overhead costs for delivering the project/services over its lifetime;

2 Engagement with planners about the Local Development Plan is important as is a link to the Causeway Coast and Glens Local Development Plan Discussion Paper 7: The Coast. 3 https://castlerockcommunityorg.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/castlerock-village-plan-final-1-2018.pdf 4 It should be noted that in the Village Plan, “Guysmere represents a key strategic site in the village in a prime location. Owned by the Presbyterian Church, the future of the site is currently under consideration. While beyond the scope and capacity of the Village Plan, the subject was identified during consultation as a key issue for the village and much support has been expressed in seeing the site retained for the benefit of the Castlerock community”

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o Projected income.

• Risks – identify risks associated with the identified options (e.g. technical, financial,

organisational, legal, governance, timescales, environmental etc).

• Finance – identify options and requirements for match funding sources (including cash

and contributions-in-kind for the capital project as well as longer-term project delivery).

• Legal – identify any legal issues (e.g. ownership, governance, planning, other statutory and

safeguarding requirements).

• Management – explore options and requirements for partnerships (role and input of

partners), governance, management and staffing of the project (both development and

delivery) and provide an outline delivery plan with timescales.

• Marketing – explore marketing options, costs and requirements.

• Monitoring and Evaluation – identify monitoring and evaluation requirements and

arrangements (for both development and delivery of project) including SMART objectives

and targets. This should also include options for an exit strategy. Outcomes should link to

the Causeway Coast and Glens Community Plan and the Draft Programme for Government

outcomes and be in line with any additional requirements from the client as expressed

through the initial meetings.

• Recommendations – for preferred option and actions required to progress the project.

9: Consultants will be required to meet with stakeholders

Consultants will be required to engage (by phone or face to face) with, among others, the

following stakeholders: (Note: given the time line, the GC will assist with contact details and

organising meetings)

• The Guysmere Committee;

• Friends of Guysmere;

• Community and Voluntary Sector Organisations including Castlerock Community

Association, Scouts, Village Beautiful, Castlerock Playgroup, the Wednesday Club Senior

Citizens Group (possible collective meeting -);

• Local Surf Groups/ schools and other tourism providers in the area;

• Faith based organisations, including specifically Castlerock Presbyterian Church

• Sports and Leisure providers e.g. Castlerock Golf Club, Castlerock Bowling Club, local and

regional walking groups, Sustrans;

• Statutory Organisations e.g. Council, Tourism NI, Sport NI, Health Trust, Public Health

Agency; Education Authority/ Schools /Colleges as relevant to the study;

• RNLI/Lifeguards;

• National Trust;

• Others as identified as part of the consultation process

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Annex 1: Location Map of Guysmere Centre in Castlerock

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Annex 2: Proposed Site Plan for Guysmere Redevelopment

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Annex 3: History of Guysmere

Guysmere – A brief history Castlerock, County Londonderry

The earliest identification of Guysmere

as a site is to be found in Griffith`s

Valuation Map c. 1859, where it is

designated at Plot 2.

At that time, the plot lay within the

Clothworkers’ portion where it

remained until Sir Hervey H. Bruce

purchased the Clothworkers’ County

Londonderry estates in 1871.

The first mention of a house on this site is in The Revision Valuation Book for

1862-64 which states that the Immediate Lessors are “The Worshipful Company

of Clothworkers” and shows that John Nimmock was the occupier of the house

which was, at that time, unfinished.

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The Valuation Book information

must have been collected in early

1862 for by May of that year, John

Nimock was advertising the

property to let. He states that this

property –

“has one advantage over every other

house at CASTLEROCK – there are

no houses to pass after you come

out of the water until you enter the

Villa”.

In its early days the property was

known as ‘Bathview Villa’.

John Nimock was a local photographer who hailed

from the Gortycavan/Sconce Road area south of

Articlave. He described himself as an artist and,

unusually for a local man of those times, he was

widely travelled and had business interests in

America.

Their marriage was a relatively brief one

as John Nimock died in March 1884 at his

residence, `Bathview`. After that time,

Martha with their young son, also John,

variously spent her time in America (where

John had his business interests and

property) and at ‘Bathview Villa’ in

Castlerock.

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In 1903, Martha took the decision to settle permanently in America and

‘Bathview Villa’ was advertised for sale in June/July of that year.

The newspaper clipping from 1st July, 1903 (supplied by John Gilfillan, an

American descendant of Mrs. Martha Nimock), has been annotated to the effect

`Bought later (in perpetuity) from Lord Bruce`

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The eventual purchaser was Mr Frederick A. Guy, a farmer from Drumlish

House, Dromore, Co. Tyrone. Frederick Guy apparently continued to live

variously in Dromore, Co. Tyrone and Londonderry and, like Martha Nimock

before him, offered `Bathview Villa` as a `To Let`.

The name “Guy’s Mere” or “Guysmere”

It is thanks to Frederick Guy that we now know the site as `Guysmere`.

Sometime between 1907 and 1910, he changed the property`s title to reflect his

own name as can be seen from the lists of residents below.

In the 1907 Street Directory we have Mr F.A. Guy, J.P. of Bathview Villa but

by 1910, he is listed as Mr F.A. Guy J.P of “Guy’s mere”.

Frederick Guy died on 24 September 1921 and the property passed to Miss Edith

Guy.

1905 1913

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The disastrous blaze of 1922 The 1918 Street Directory shows Herbert Fletcher as living at Guysmere.

Herbert was a member of the Fletcher family who were prosperous merchants

from Derry.

It was Herbert Fletcher and his family who were resident in Guysmere on the

night of 19 June, 1922 when there was a

disastrous fire.

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After the fire, the Guy family lodged a claim for malicious destruction with

Coleraine Council.

Some time later Miss Guy (Edith) sold the ruin to Mr A.J. Cunningham, sole

proprietor of Cunningham Hotels Limited. By 1926, his portfolio included the

Abercorn Arms in Strabane, the Corporation Arms in Coleraine and the Golf

Hotel in Castlerock and it may be that he acquired the Guysmere site with a

view to developing another hotel. In the event he did nothing with the site and

it lay derelict until it was acquired by the P.C.I / B.A.

1926 The first Boys’ Auxiliary Camp was held in Guysmere

1975 The Residential Centre was dedicated

2009 The Centre was closed

2017 A proposal to sell Guysmere was stalled for 1 year by the

Presbytery of Coleraine & Limavady

2018 The General Assembly decides what to do next

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