Fermanagh & Omagh Countryside Audit
Client: Fermanagh & Omagh District Council
The Challenge
To prepare and develop an Access to the Countryside Audit for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council that assessed the current access both in terms of official and non-official outdoor recreation product, with recommendations for future projects.
The focus of this project was improving access to the countryside for local residents.
The Role
We led on the project to identify and prepare:
- Background information and introductions to include, but not exclusive to context of the area, environmental designations, relevant maps, previous reports / studies etc.
- Status and accessibility within the Fermanagh and Omagh area
a. Access to publically owned land, both official and non-official, ownership details, maps and images to illustrate information
b. Access to state care heritage sites and Scheduled Monuments (as protected by the Department of the Environment)
c. Access to water recreation sites throughout the Fermanagh and Omagh District
d. SWOT analysis of current access – this will inform Fermanagh and Omagh District Council about the access issues, conditions of existing trails, maintenance issues, opportunities for enhancement etc.
e. Consideration to links to public transport for visitors / locals
f. Access opportunities
i. Recommendations for future projects that consider interpretation, signage, marked ways enhancements
ii. Recommendations for new trail developments on both private and public land
iii. Identification of main issues and barriers to developments - Value of Countryside Access to the Fermanagh and Omagh area with particular regard to the economy and the social well-being of locals and visitors alike
- Conclusions and summary of recommendations