An Outdoor Recreation Action Plan The...

An Outdoor Recreation Action Plan

Prepared by Outdoor Recreation NI on behalf of Sport NI and in partnership with the Sperrins

Outdoor Recreation Forum

Action Plan for The Sperrins

Prepared by Outdoor Recreation NI on behalf of Sport NI and in partnership with the Sperrins

Outdoor Recreation Forum

September 2013

of 106

CONTENTS CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2

CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2

TABLE OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................................................ 5

ACRONYMS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6

DEFINITION OF TERMS................................................................................................................................................ 8

FOREWORD ..................................................................................................................................................................... 9

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................... 10

2. METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................................................ 14

3. BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................................... 19

3.1. The Need for this Study ............................................................................................................................. 20

3.2. Lack of an AONB Management Plan ....................................................................................................... 20

3.3. Review of Public Administration (RPA) .................................................................................................. 21

3.4. Ecosystem Services ...................................................................................................................................... 21

3.5. Community vs. Tourism Objectives ........................................................................................................ 22

4. SCOPE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 24

4.1. Project Area .................................................................................................................................................. 25

4.2. Activities Covered ....................................................................................................................................... 27

5. NATURAL AND BUILT HERITAGE ................................................................................................................ 28

5.1. Natural Heritage ........................................................................................................................................... 29

5.2. Built Heritage................................................................................................................................................. 29

6. LAND OWNERSHIP ............................................................................................................................................ 32

7. CONTEXT .............................................................................................................................................................. 36

8. CURRENT PROVISION ........................................................................................................................................... 41

8.1. Land-based Activities ......................................................................................................................................... 42

8.1.1. Adventure Racing ....................................................................................................................................... 42

8.1.2. Archery .................................................................................................................................................. 42

8.1.3. Boot Camps .......................................................................................................................................... 42

8.1.4. Bushcraft ................................................................................................................................................ 42

8.1.5. Clay Pigeon Shooting .......................................................................................................................... 43

8.1.6. Climbing ................................................................................................................................................. 43

8.1.7. Fell running ........................................................................................................................................... 43

8.1.8. Cycling.................................................................................................................................................... 43

8.1.9. High Ropes /Ziplines........................................................................................................................... 45

8.1.10. Horse Riding ......................................................................................................................................... 45

of 106

8.1.11. Mountain Biking ................................................................................................................................... 45

8.1.12. Mountain Boarding .............................................................................................................................. 46

8.1.13. Orienteering ......................................................................................................................................... 46

8.1.14. Paintballing ............................................................................................................................................ 47

8.1.15. Segway.................................................................................................................................................... 47

8.1.16. Walking .................................................................................................................................................. 47

8.1.17. Zorbing .................................................................................................................................................. 52

8.2. Water-based Activities................................................................................................................................ 52

8.2.1. Angling ................................................................................................................................................... 52

8.2.2. Boat Cruising ........................................................................................................................................ 53

8.2.3. Canoeing/Kayaking .............................................................................................................................. 53

8.2.4. Hovercrafting ....................................................................................................................................... 54

8.2.5. Rowing ................................................................................................................................................... 54

8.2.6. Sailing ...................................................................................................................................................... 54

8.2.7. Slalom ..................................................................................................................................................... 54

8.2.8. SUP ......................................................................................................................................................... 55

8.2.9. Water skiing/Wakeboarding ............................................................................................................. 55

8.3. Air-based Activities ...................................................................................................................................... 55

8.3.1. Aero-modelling .................................................................................................................................... 55

8.3.2. Gliding .................................................................................................................................................... 55

8.3.3. Hang Gliding/Paragliding .................................................................................................................... 55

8.3.4. Micro-light Flying ................................................................................................................................. 56

8.3.5. Sky Diving .............................................................................................................................................. 56

8.4. Multi-Use ‘Hub’ Sites ................................................................................................................................... 56

8.5. Activity Providers ......................................................................................................................................... 57

8.6. Summary ......................................................................................................................................................... 58

9. CONSULTATION RESULTS ............................................................................................................................. 66

9.1. Issues and Barriers to Development ....................................................................................................... 67

9.1.1. Management Structures ..................................................................................................................... 67

9.1.2. Outdoor Recreation Product........................................................................................................... 67

9.1.3. Marketing and Promotion ................................................................................................................. 68

9.2. Opportunities for Development ............................................................................................................... 68

9.2.1. Management Structures ..................................................................................................................... 68

9.2.2. Product Development ........................................................................................................................ 69

9.2.3. Marketing and Promotion ................................................................................................................. 69

of 106

10. SWOT ANALYSIS ............................................................................................................................................ 70

11. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT .............................................................................................................................. 74

11.1. Management Structures .............................................................................................................................. 75

11.2. Product Development ................................................................................................................................. 75

11.3. Marketing & Promotion .............................................................................................................................. 78

11.4. Strategic Action Plan.................................................................................................................................... 82

12. ISSUES AND BARRIERS .................................................................................................................................. 85

13. ACTION PLAN ................................................................................................................................................. 89

14. CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................................................... 94

15. BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................................................ 96

16. APPENDIX ......................................................................................................................................................... 98

16.1. Project Consultees ....................................................................................................................................... 99

16.2. Consultation Questionnaire .................................................................................................................... 100

16.3. Consultation Poster ................................................................................................................................... 103

16.4. Environmentally Designated Sites ........................................................................................................... 104

of 106

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Project Boundary ............................................................................................................................................ 26

Figure 2 Natural Heritage ............................................................................................................................................. 30

Figure 3 Built Heritage ................................................................................................................................................... 31

Figure 4 Land Ownership ............................................................................................................................................. 34

Figure 5 Current Provision - Cycling ......................................................................................................................... 60

Figure 6 Current Provision - Mountain Biking ......................................................................................................... 61

Figure 7 Current Provision - Orienteering .............................................................................................................. 62

Figure 8 Current Provision - Walking ....................................................................................................................... 63

Figure 9 Current Provision - Angling ......................................................................................................................... 64

Figure 10 Current Provision - Canoeing ................................................................................................................... 65

Figure 11 Activity Hubs ................................................................................................................................................. 79

Figure 12 Future Development - Mountain Biking ................................................................................................. 80

Figure 13 Future Development - Walking ................................................................................................................ 81

Table 1 Consultee Categories and Consultation Methods Employed ............................................................... 17

Table 2 Outdoor Recreation Activities Covered ................................................................................................... 27

Table 3 Site Landowner/Manager ............................................................................................................................... 35

Table 4 Public Rights of Way (PRoW) and Permissive Paths .............................................................................. 49

Table 5 Walking Usage .................................................................................................................................................. 49

Table 6 Current Walking Provision the Sperrins (Formal and Informal) .......................................................... 51

Table 7 Strategic Action Plan ....................................................................................................................................... 84

Table 8 Working Action Plan ...................................................................................................................................... 93

of 106

ACRONYMS

AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

ASSI Area of Special Scientific Interest

BHS British Horse Society

CANI Canoe Association Northern Ireland

DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

DCAL Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure

DoE Duke of Edinburgh

DRD Department of Regional Development

FSNI Forest Service NI

GIS Geographic Information System

H2H Highway to Health

ILDRA Irish Long Distance Riding Association

LCA Landscape Character Area

LCDA Loughmacrory Community Development Association

LPS Landscape Partnership Scheme

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

MTB Mountain Bike

NCN National Cycle Network

NGB National Governing Body

NIEA Northern Ireland Environment Agency

NIMBA Northern Ireland Mountain Biking Alliance

NIOA Northern Ireland Orienteering Association

NITB Northern Ireland Tourist Board

NNR National Nature Reserve

OEC Outdoor Education Centre

ORAP Outdoor Recreation Action Plan

ORNI Outdoor Recreation NI

PRoW Public Right of Way

POC Permanent Orienteering Course

QW Quality Walk

RDP Rural Development Programme

RPA Review of Public Administration

of 106

SAC Special Area of Conservation

SFP Single Farm Payment

SORF Sperrins Outdoor Recreation Forum

TDMP Tourism Destination Management Plan

TIC Tourist Information Centre

UAF Ulster Angling Federation

UFRC Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs

UHGPC Ulster Hang Gliding and Paragliding School

URRA Ulster Rural Riders’ Association

USP Unique Selling Point

UWT Ulster Wildlife Trust

WT Woodland Trust

of 106

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Access The right or permission to enter and make use of the natural

environment for outdoor recreation, can be on public and private land,

and on a formal or informal basis. Access is typically categorised as

Public Right of Way (PRoW), permissive or ‘de facto’ basis.

Activity Hub Refers to the clustering of activities and supporting visitor services

within a confined area providing the local/visitor ample opportunities to

spend a single or multi-day trip. There is no specified area for a ‘hub’

but it will typically have a multitude of outdoor recreation activities

with good connectivity between all resources.

Common Land Land owned collectively by a group of landowners with mutual rights.

‘De Facto’ Access Access established through a long-standing history of use. No legal

right of way exists and no explicit permission granted but consent of

the landowner is implied. Typical in upland areas of ‘common’ land.

Ecosystem Services The benefits provided by ecosystems that contribute to making human

life both possible and worth living, classified into four groups,

‘Provisioning’, ‘Regulating’, ‘Cultural’ and ‘Supporting’1.

Formal Where the landowner permits/encourages activity and designated

signage, facilities and/or infrastructure is in place to facilitate access

Informal The landowner does not permit/encourage activity and there is no

designated signage, facilities or infrastructure in place to facilitate access.

Outdoor Recreation Non-motorised recognised sports and other recreational activities that

require sustainable access to the natural environment for their

respective activities, events and programmes. This does not include golf,

hunting or motorised activities.

Permissive Path Paths/tracks which the landowner has given consent to access.

Public Right of Way Roads, paths or tracks which the public have a legal right to access.

1 Definition taken from UK National Ecosystem Assessment: NI Summary, 2011, pg. 5

of 106

FOREWORD

Please note that this report is not an exhaustive list of all current outdoor recreation within the

Sperrins region. The results recorded are based on the information received through consultation with

various organisations and local groups (See Appendix for list of consultees).

Although every endeavour has been taken to ensure accuracy in mapping, some trails, sites, public land

and activities may appear under-represented due to a lack of feedback or limited response.

This report and Action Plan however does provide a comprehensive picture of the status of current

outdoor recreation and opportunities for future development which are incorporated into the final

Action Plan.

of 106

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

of 106

The Project

In June 2013, Outdoor Recreation NI (ORNI) was commissioned by Sport NI to develop an Outdoor

Recreation Action Plan (ORAP) for the Sperrins in partnership with the recently established Sperrins

Outdoor Recreation Forum (SORF).

The overall aim of the project was:

‘To prepare a framework for the sustainable development, management and promotion of future

outdoor recreation facilities and opportunities within the Sperrins region, accommodating both the

needs of the local community and those visiting the area’.

The scope for this study was defined by the SORF as the current extent of the Sperrin Area of

Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the four scenic driving routes which are waymarked as the

Central, South, North and East Sperrins.

In total 30 different land, water and air based activities were audited to identify (a) current provision

and management and (b) opportunities for future development over the next 5-10 years.

Use of existing data held and consultation were the two main research methods used. Local council

officers, governing bodies, central government statutory agencies, public organisations, sports/activity

clubs, community associations, user groups, public and private landowners and many other relevant

stakeholders were consulted either directly or indirectly. In addition, four public consultation events

were held across the region with 71 participants, representing 47 different organisations, attending.

Summary of Main Findings

Currently in the Sperrins, outdoor recreation and access is being developed, managed and promoted by

four main groups:

- Local Councils

- Landscape Partnership Schemes

- Community Associations, and

- Private sector outdoor activity providers

Outdoor recreation provision is concentrated at sites or within defined areas, on trails which span the

Sperrins region and in ‘activity hubs’ which encompass a cluster of activities, provide supporting visitor

services and allow the running of events.

Access to all of the above is provided through a mixture of agreements including, Public Rights of Way,

permissive paths, open access to public land, controlled access to private land and de-facto access,

particularly in the uplands.

The most popular outdoor recreation activities currently engaged in across the Sperrins are walking,

cycling, and mountain biking, angling and canoeing.

Three key themes emerged as requiring address in order to facilitate the Sperrins achieving its full

outdoor recreation and tourism potential. These were related to:

1. Management Structures

2. Product Development (including Activities and Visitor Services and Facilities)

of 106

3. Marketing and Promotion

Management Structures:

The most significant issue in the Sperrins constraining future development is the absence of one co-

ordinating management body with responsibility for the development, management or promotion of the

Sperrins region as a whole. Development within the AONB area of the Sperrins is also constrained

because there is no dedicated AONB Officer or AONB Management Plan. In addition, the area is also

governed by seven different councils, two of which have no dedicated Access Officers.

The lack of a co-ordinating body in the Sperrins has inherently resulted in a silo approach to the

development of outdoor recreation. Without the creation of a ‘Sperrins Partnership’ type body, this is

likely to continue.

Product Development:

Although there is an abundance of informal recreation taking place across the Sperrins, particularly with

regard to walking and mountain biking, the area lacks sufficient formal product to support a strong

activity tourism industry and more formally promote outdoor recreation to local communities.

Increased investment in product development with accompanying visitor facilities is required across the

region particularly in the area’s key Forest Parks and around the existing ‘activity tourism hub’s. Specific

future development in walking, cycling, and mountain biking, canoeing, angling and orienteering was

identified.

Marketing and Promotion:

Despite the Sperrins region being one of NITB’s nine signature destinations the area suffers from a lack

of destination branding and co-ordinated marketing. Without a comprehensive tourism strategy in

place for the area, there is no common vision which all stakeholders can work towards to create a

‘signature’ destination with ‘stand-out’ experiences. At the time of writing this report a ‘Tyrone and

Sperrins Tourism Destination Management Plan’ (TDMP) had been written thus representing a positive

step forward in partnership working and agreeing common goals for developing tourism, of which

activity tourism is a central part. This TDMP however does not cover the entire Sperrins area as

defined in this report.

The Action Plan

Two Action Plans have been developed as an outcome of this study.

The first ‘Strategic Action Plan’ is made up of 21 over-arching principles which are intended to act as a

strategic framework for the integrated development of outdoor recreation in the Sperrins. It has been

formed by condensing and generalising the actions which make up the second Plan.

The second ‘Working Action Plan’ contains 72 site- and activity-specific actions and is intended to be a

‘working’ document which can be updated, added to and changed over time by the Sperrins Outdoor

Recreation Forum.

of 106

Both Plans are cross-referenced so the reader can see how specific recommendations in the second

Plan relate to and fulfil the strategic actions in the first Plan.

In terms of delivery, both plans contain a list of ‘delivery partners’ which simply outlines those

organisations and stakeholders who may have a role to play in fulfilling each action.

of 106

2. METHODOLOGY

of 106

The aim of this plan is:

‘To prepare a framework for the sustainable development, management and promotion of future

outdoor recreation facilities and opportunities within the Sperrins region, accommodating both the

needs of the local community and those visiting the area’.

The objectives of this plan are to:

• detail and GIS map the nature and extent of current outdoor recreation provision in the Sperrins

region including;

o all land, air and water-based activities

o whether these take place on public and private land

o both area and site-specific facilities

o PRoW and access agreements

• detail and GIS map the current land management bodies involved in outdoor recreation provision in

the area - private, public, community, Forest Service NI (FSNI), NI Water, charitable trusts, etc.

• detail and GIS map all environmental designations across the region

• collate all available and relevant monitoring information about current outdoor recreation

use/participation in the region

• outline the relevant context of outdoor recreation within the area, against what is happening at a

regional and national level, detailing the current situation and any future development plans

• conduct consultation with all relevant stakeholders including SORF, the local community, tourism

and business sector, public bodies, national governing bodies of sport, user groups and private

sector to discuss their aspirations for future development of the Sperrins to allow both tourism and

community objectives to be fulfilled.

• use the results of any other relevant consultation exercises which have been undertaken and relate

to the current provision and development of outdoor recreation in the Sperrins

• identify the principle management issues (challenges/barriers) (local, regional and national) affecting

the growth of outdoor recreation in the Sperrins region

• complete a SWOT analysis at a macro-level for the whole Sperrins region and where relevant a

SWOT analysis for individual areas and/or sites

• identify the future opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Sperrins, both regional and site-

specific including any natural ‘activity hubs’

• assess how future opportunities fit with tourism and community objectives

• prioritise areas for growth for outdoor recreation both regional and site specific

• produce a 5-10 year Action Plan outlining those bodies responsible for delivering the actions

It was also agreed that the Action Plan would take account of the following:

• the specific nature of certain sites and any proposed activities and (where practical) seek to deliver

improved accessibility for people with disabilities

of 106

• the consideration of the value of ecosystem services, and

• how they could be integrated into or take cognisance of a broader AONB management plan as and

when that was to be further developed.

Methodology

Primary data was researched, collected, analysed and presented using a four strand approach:

i. Use of existing data gathered through previous research projects by Outdoor Recreation NI

ii. Site visits

iii. An extensive consultation process involving questionnaires (see Appendix 16.2), individual

meetings and a series of public consultation events

iv. Collaboration, mapping and analysis of the primary data using ArcGIS.

Use of Existing Data

Existing information gathered through previous and ongoing projects was collated to identify

current outdoor recreation provision and land ownership within the project area. GIS data was

collated from Outdoor Recreation NI’s:

Existing databases - WalkNI.com, CycleNI.com, Ulster Way, CanoeNI.com

Research projects - Public Land Mapping Phase 1 and 2, Sperrins Walking Audit

Development projects - Davagh Forest, Foyle Canoe Trail

Other desktop research was carried out using previous reports and strategies (see Bibliography)

and general online research to identify background and contextual information.

Site Visits

Sites visits were carried out to facilities and areas identified as already providing good access to

outdoor recreation or having the potential for development. This included both publicly and

privately owned sites and often involved meeting with the landowner to discuss site specific issues

and opportunities. Sites visited included An Creagan Visitor Centre, An Carn, Gortin Glen Forest

Park, Glenelly Valley, Lissan House and Estate, Springhill Estate, Baronscourt Estate, Moor Lough,

Lough Macrory and Beaghmore Stones. During site visits photographs were taken and observations

made about current access, outdoor activities and visitor facilities.

Consultation

The following table shows how consultees were grouped and the consultation method employed

for each.

of 106

Consultee Category Consultation Method

Local Council Officers Face-to-face interview

Invited to public consultations

Governing Bodies Questionnaire (via email)

Face-to-face or telephone interviews (depending on

convenience)

Public/Statutory Agencies Questionnaire (via email)

Face-to-face meeting (where relevant)

Follow-up phone call to discuss (where relevant)

Activity Providers Questionnaire (via email)

Follow-up phone call to discuss (where relevant)

Community Groups Invited to public consultations

Activity Clubs Invited to public consultations

SORF members Invited to public consultations

Private landowners Direct email and telephone call

General Public Invited to public consultations

Table 1 Consultee Categories and Consultation Methods Employed

Four public consultation events were organised and widely promoted through the following

channels:

- Direct emails to all of the above groups

- Editorials in local newspapers including Mid Ulster Mail, Strabane Weekly News and Ulster

Herald

- Websites including Outdoor Recreation NI.com, Outdoor NI.com, WalkNI.com,

CycleNI.com, Rural Community Network.com and CommunityNI.com

- Direct emails through in-house mailing lists via Strabane District Council, Rural Community

Network and various governing bodies

- Facebook pages including Sperrins Outdoor Recreation Forum and An Creagan

- Wide circulation of a poster which advertised the dates, venues and purpose of the events

(see Appendix 16.3).

The four event dates and venues were as follows:

- Tuesday 13th August at An Creagan Visitor Centre, Creggan

- Wednesday 14th August at The Diamond Centre, Claudy

of 106

- Tuesday 20th August at Kilcronaghan Activity Centre, Tobermore

- Thursday 29th August at Newtownstewart Centre 2000, Newtownstewart

Each of the four public consultation events took the format of a workshop. A short presentation

given by ORNI was followed by a breakout session where groups of 5-10 (depending on attendees)

had the opportunity to report the sites and areas they currently use for outdoor recreation, which

activities they do at each and what they would like to see developed in the future.

47 different organisations and groups were represented through the consultation events, the results

of which are summarised in Chapter 9.

Use of GIS

The spatial mapping tool ArcGIS was used as the method of collating, analysing and presenting all

the data collected through this study. The following information was mapped:

- current provision of all land, air and water-based activities (sites and trails)

- land ownership (public and private)

- both area and site-specific facilities

- Public Rights of Way (PRoW) and permissive path agreements

- environmental designations

- future development opportunities

Please note that where the extent of the landownership was known, this was shown in polygon

format, where the extent of land ownership was not known, this was shown in point format.

of 106

3. BACKGROUND

of 106

3.1. The Need for this Study

In 2003, a ‘Countryside Recreation Strategy for the Sperrins’ was prepared, but few of the

recommendations put forward in it were implemented during the past 10 years.

In particular, the area has seen a notable lack of formal development in terms of the outdoor recreation

product delivered on the ground because of a number of local and national issues. Despite this lack of

development in the area, it is recognized that the Sperrins is home to a number of excellent private

sector activity providers and has major potential for outdoor recreation growth.

In March 2013 ‘Our Great Outdoors - A Draft Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland’

was finalised as a joint initiative between Sport NI, NIEA, NITB and DCAL Inland Waterways. One of

the actions contained within this plan is “to map current hubs for outdoor recreation and identify

geographical gaps in provision...and to develop a framework for creating recreational ‘master plans’ for

these hubs to ensure appropriate infrastructure and management’2. These master plans would be

developed in partnership with the relevant ‘local Outdoor Recreation Forum’3.

In June 2013, Outdoor Recreation NI was commissioned by Sport NI to develop a ‘Sperrins Outdoor

Recreation Action Plan’ (ORAP) working in partnership with the recently established Sperrins Outdoor

Recreation Forum.

In response to the local and national issues mentioned above and which will be discussed throughout

this report, it was agreed that the study should specifically audit the current provision of outdoor

recreation in the area and recommend priorities for development over the next 5-10 years which

accommodates both the needs of the local community and visitors to the area.

3.2. Lack of an AONB Management Plan

Unlike all the other AONB areas in Northern Ireland, the Sperrins does not have a dedicated AONB

Officer, Management Body or Management Plan. This had and will continue to have a detrimental

impact on the development, management and promotion of this landscape.

Aside from the outdoor recreation potential, the Sperrins is a unique asset – historically, naturally and

culturally to Northern Ireland and is being overlooked by not having these management structures in

place.

This ORAP is not written as a replacement for an AONB Management Plan. Instead it has been

developed to easily integrate into and take cognisance of a broader AONB Management Plan as and

when this would be developed. For example every effort has been made to take account of the

ecosystem services provided by the AONB and how outdoor recreation impacts upon these, both

positively and negatively. Also the actions outlined in this Action Plan have been developed, where

possible, to combine access to the natural, historical, built, archaeological and cultural heritage of the

region.

2 Action E1 3 Action A3

of 106

3.3. Review of Public Administration (RPA)

In 2015 the Review of Public Administration (RPA) will come into full effect and reduce the number of

Councils in the study area from seven to four:

- Magherafelt, Cookstown and Dungannon will form ‘Mid Ulster’

- Omagh and Fermanagh will form ‘Fermanagh and Omagh’

- Strabane and Derry will become ‘Derry and Strabane’

- Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney and Moyle will become ‘Causeway Coast and Glens’

In the study’s planning stage consideration was given to whether this Plan should be developed in the

context of seven or four council areas as the reforming of local government boundaries and

amalgamation of Council’s will ultimately affect internal budgets and departmental priorities and

therefore may have an impact on the feasibility of recommendations in this Action Plan.

However as this Plan is being written on behalf of Sport NI and in partnership with the Sperrins

Outdoor Recreation Forum – it is not necessarily an Action Plan for the local councils nor is it intended

to act as a strategy.

The intended purpose of this Plan is to provide a framework for the strategic development of outdoor

recreation across the entire Sperrins region, which can guide the work of the SORF. The Plan will

provide a baseline of current provision and in doing so identify the gaps in provision and opportunities

for development. The Action Plan will then recommend the priority areas for growth. Recording the

findings into an Action Plan will give the Forum, Sport NI and other relevant stakeholders a platform for

advocating future development. It may also help to secure funding in the future for projects which have

been highlighted as opportunities but overall, it will act as a common tool from which stakeholders in

the Sperrins with a mutual interest in outdoor recreation can work from.

As such, although RPA will change the local government boundaries it has limited effect on the purpose

and therefore development of this report. Nonetheless it should be borne in mind when reading this

report and taking forward the Action Plan.

3.4. Ecosystem Services

As well as the natural and built heritage that the Sperrins boasts, the AONB provides a number of

ecosystem services. “Ecosystem services are the benefits provided by ecosystems that contribute to

making human life both possible and worth living, classified into four groups:

- Provisioning – products provided by the ecosystem, e.g. food and fresh water

- Regulating – benefits obtained from the ecosystem processes, e.g. climate control and

pollination

- Cultural – non-material benefits obtained from the ecosystem, e.g. heritage, recreation,

tourism, landscape scenery

of 106

- Supporting – functions that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services,

e.g. soil formation and nutrient cycling”4

The most relevant ecosystem service to this study is the ‘cultural’ services provided. The natural

landscape of the Sperrins AONB ecosystem - its topography, scenic beauty, geology and human

intervention all combine to provide a unique platform upon which outdoor recreation can be

developed. The forests, glens, rivers, valleys, uplands and slopes, etc all provide the resource upon

which cycling, walking, hand gliding, canoeing and fishing etc. all depend and could not happen without.

Further within an ecosystem an action will have a knock-on effect on the rest of the system, e.g. a

pollution incident in the river may reduce the water quality which affects the fish stocks which affects

the angler. It will also affect the quality of drinking water and may pose a rick to the health of canoeists.

As such a ‘total ecosystems approach’ was taken meaning the ‘knock-on’ effects of developing outdoor

recreation over the next 5-10 years have been taken into account and how each in turn will have an

effect of the economy, society and environment.

This Action Plan has a 5-10 year timeframe thus it has been important to consider the ‘sustainability’ of

any recommendations made and the long-term impact of development. For example, developing new

trails in the uplands in theory will increase access and therefore benefit recreation, walking tourism and

the health and wellbeing of the local community. However, increasing access may also increase

pressure on the natural environment and have an impact on any sensitive areas, or places with rare

species. In this case, taking a total ecosystems approach would mean recommending a combination of

improving the existing product of walks as well as developing new trails which are sustainable and

manage visitor spread so as not to cause or increase any erosion issues, such as evident in the Mournes.

In this way, participation is encouraged to increase but within the carrying capacity of the AONB.

3.5. Community vs. Tourism Objectives

One of the objectives of this Action Plan is to recommend priorities for development which

accommodates the needs of both the local community and visitors.

When going out for a cycle, a walk or a paddle the priorities for a member of the community or local

resident will differ greatly than that expected by a visitor or tourist to the area. As such the following

objectives have been identified as being important to the local community and visitor respectively.

Projects which have been recommended in the Action Plan are intended to contribute to achieving

these objectives.

Community Objectives

- Improves health and well-being (through opportunities for physical recreation)

- Provides opportunities for learning about heritage (through access and interpretation)

- Facilitates enjoyment of the natural environment

- Promotes social cohesion (e.g. through events, taster sessions)

- Grows the local economy

Tourism Objectives

4 Definition taken from UK National Ecosystem Assessment: NI Summary, 2011, pg. 5

of 106

- Value for money

- Packaged breaks (e.g. activity packages, cultural packages, etc.)

- Quality visitor services including easily accessible information

- Unique/’stand out’ experience (NITB’s experiential tourism)

of 106

4. SCOPE

of 106

4.1. Project Area

The Sperrin Mountains are located in the northwest of Northern Ireland. Unlike other destinations

such as the Causeway or the Mournes there is not one defined area known as ‘The Sperrins’ which is

commonly accepted. For the purposes of this study ‘The Sperrins’ encompasses the Sperrin AONB and

the four scenic driving routes (See Figure 1).

The project area adopted therefore falls within seven local council areas – Derry City Council, Strabane

District Council, Omagh District Council, Limavady Borough Council, Coleraine Borough Council,

Cookstown District Council and Magherafelt District Council.

The following towns are included – Artigarvan, Ballymagorry, Carrickmore, Castlederg, Claudy,

Cookstown, Cranagh, Desertmartin, Draperstown, Drumquin, Dungiven, Dunnamanagh, Dunnamore,

Feeny, Garvagh, Gortin, Greencastle, Maghera, Milltown, Moneymore, Moneyneany, Mountfield,

Mountjoy, Newtownstewart, Omagh, Orritor, Plumbridge, Sion Mills, Strabane, Swatragh, Tobermore,

Upperlands and Victoria Bridge.

The following forests are included – Baronscourt, Bradkeel, Creggan, Davagh, Derrynoyd, Garvagh,

Glenshane, Goles, Gortin Glen, Gortnamoyagh, Iniscarn, Killens, Learmount, Ligfordrum and

Moydamlaght.

The following primary rivers and tributaries are included – Agivey, Ballinderry, Burn Dennett, Fairy

Water, Faughan, Foyle, Glenelly, Lissan Water, Mourne, Moyola, Owenbeg, Owenkillew, Owenreagh,

Owenrigh and Strule.

Figure 1 Project Boundary

4.2. Activities Covered

Thirty outdoor recreation activities5 are covered by this study, as shown in Table 2. These activities are

all dependant on sustainable access to the natural environment.

ACTIVITIES COVERED

LAND WATER AIR

Adventure Racing Angling Aero-modelling

Archery Boat cruising Gliding

Boot Camps Canoeing (including

Kayaking and Slalom) Hang Gliding/Paragliding

Bush Craft Hovercrafting Micro-light Flying

Clay Pigeon Shooting Rowing Sky Diving

Climbing Sailing

Cycling (On- and Off-Road) Stand Up Paddleboarding

(SUP)

Fell Running Waterskiing/Wakeboarding

High Ropes/Ziplines

Horse riding

Mountain biking

Mountain Boarding

Orienteering

Paintballing

Segway

Walking

Zorbing

Table 2 Outdoor Recreation Activities Covered

5 These activities were chosen because they are covered under ORNI’s remit and are listed on OutdoorNI.com

of 106

5. NATURAL AND BUILT HERITAGE

of 106

The Sperrins is abundantly rich in both natural and built heritage which is protected under a number of

statutory designations. These designations in turn govern the management and development of this

area to ensure the natural landscape and built features remain protected.

5.1. Natural Heritage

The Sperrins region is covered under six different types of statutory designations ranging from

European to National level (See Figure 2). The study area incorporates:

- 20x Landscape Character Areas (LCA)

- 1x Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

- 35x Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI)

- 12x Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

- 6x National Nature Reserves (NNR); and

- 3x Ramsar sites

A full list of the sites can be found in the Appendix.

5.2. Built Heritage

The Sperrins is awash with built heritage and features of archaeological interest. Amongst the well

known are Beaghmore Stone Circles, Banagher Old Church, Creggandevesky Court Tomb, Dungiven

Priory, Harry Avery O’Neill’s Castle, etc. (See Figure 3).

Within and around the study area alone there are:

- 218 features listed on NIEA’s Scheduled Monuments Record as being under ‘state care’,

‘scheduled’ and/or ‘listed’

- 174 Scheduled Areas; and

- 709 Listed Buildings6

6 NIEA’s SMR can be found at: http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/built-home/protection/scheduled_monuments-2.htm

Figure 2 Natural Heritage

of 106

Figure 3 Built Heritage

6. LAND OWNERSHIP

of 106

The majority of land in the Sperrins is owned and managed by private landowners particularly in the

uplands. In addition, two private estates which facilitate controlled public access were identified, namely

Baronscourt and Lissan House. Both estates are also designated ‘Historic Parks, Gardens and

Demesnes’.

The remaining land is owned and managed by public sector organisations, either by central and local

government such as local councils, DARD, NIEA, Forest Service NI, NI Water and DCAL or by

charitable organisations such as National Trust and Woodland Trust whose key remits include heritage

preservation and public access.

14 public landowners have been identified:

- Forest Service NI (FSNI)

- Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA)

- NI Water

- Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL)

- National Trust

- Ulster Wildlife Trust (UWT)

- Woodland Trust (WT)

- 7x local councils

Figure 4 shows the extent and distribution of publicly owned land within the study area7. Where the

extent of the landownership was known, this was shown in polygon format for example for FSNI-owned

land, ‘common land’ and private estates. Where the extent of land ownership was not known, this was

shown in point or triangle format.

Of the publicly owned land, Forest Service NI is the largest landowner.

Like the Mourne Mountains, the Sperrins has a significant proportion of ‘common’ land, that is, land

owned by more than one person. This is typically confined to the uplands, as shown in Figure 4. The

land in Figure 4 is numbered and cross-referenced with Table 3.

The map does not show the land which is owned and/or managed by community associations which is

common across the Sperrins region. Two such sites include An Creagan and An Carn whereby the

community associations own and/or manage the land in partnership with FSNI and private landowners

respectively, and have created public access for both the community and visitors8.

7 The map shows data collected through consultation and previous research projects. The map is not an exhaustive illustration of all the land under public ownership in the Sperrins, and is only a reflection of the data provided by the consultees and gathered through ORNI’s previous projects and the author’s current research. 8 These sites have not been mapped because the exact boundaries are not known, however more detail on these sites can be found in Chapter 8.

Figure 4 Land Ownership

ID SITE LANDOWNER/MANAGER 1 Springhill National Trust 2 Wellbrook Beetling Mill National Trust 3 Burn Walk (The) Woodland Trust 4 Burntollet/Ervey Wood Woodland Trust 5 Cabin Wood Woodland Trust 6 Cullion Community Woodland Woodland Trust 7 Drumlamph Woodland Woodland Trust 8 The Oaks Woodland Trust 9 Cottage Wood Ulster Wildlife Trust

10 Banagher Glen NNR NIEA 11 Banagher NNR NIEA 12 Beaghmore SCM NIEA 13 Ness Country Park NIEA 14 Altnaheglish Reservoir NI Water 15 Lough Fea NI Water 16 Lough Fingrean NI Water 17 Loughmacrory NI Water 18 Drumnaspar DCAL 19 Drumquin DCAL 20 Moor Lough DCAL 21 Oak Lough DCAL 22 Donemana Playing Fields Strabane DC 23 Greenbrae Wetland Strabane DC 24 Melvin Sports Complex Strabane DC 25 Mitchell Park Strabane DC 26 Mourne Riverbank Strabane DC 27 River Mourne East Bank Strabane DC 28 Vaughans Holm Strabane DC 29 Omagh Riverside Path Omagh DC 30 Tobermore Ponds Magherafelt DC 31 Dungiven Castle Environmental Park Limavady BC 32 Claudy Country Park Derry CC 33 Faughanview Pitches Derry CC 34 Pinewood Pitches Derry CC 35 Beechway Playing Fields Cookstown DC 36 Dunnamore Riverside Walk Cookstown DC 37 Fairhill Playing Fields Cookstown DC 38 Lough Fea Cookstown DC 39 Manor Path Cookstown DC 40 Mid Ulster Sports Arena Cookstown DC 41 Moneymore Playing Fields Cookstown DC 42 Moneymore Recreation Centre Cookstown DC

Table 3 Site Landowner/Manager

of 106

7. CONTEXT

of 106

This chapter outlines the strategic context at a national, regional and local level as outlined in following

strategies and development plans.

National Context – NI wide

The national context for outdoor recreation and tourism is outlined in two 10-year strategies – the

‘Draft Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland – Our Great Outdoors’ and NITB’s ‘A

Draft Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2020’.

NITB have identified ‘Tyrone and Sperrins’ as one of nine world-class destinations to visit in Northern

Ireland, comparable with the Mourne Mountains, Causeway Coast and Glens, Fermanagh Lakelands, etc.

The absence of a destination development plan for ‘Tyrone and the Sperrins’ has meant that the

development of activity tourism has lacked strategic direction.

However in July 2013, a draft ‘Tourism Destination Management Plan’ for the Sperrins was produced in

partnership with Omagh District Council, Cookstown District Council, Strabane District Council and

Derry City Council. The implications of this on outdoor recreation development are discussed in

further detail below under ‘Regional Context’.

With regards to developing outdoor recreation over the next 10 years the ‘Draft Outdoor Recreation

Action Plan for Northern Ireland’ prioritises the following:

- Creating healthy lifestyles for local people

- Generating economic growth through tourism

- Promoting environmental protection

Outdoor recreation is thus regarded as a vehicle for enhancing society in terms of health, well-being and

inclusion, boosting the economy through tourism and promoting the conservation of the natural

environment upon which outdoor activities like walking, cycling, canoeing and angling all depend.

At a national level the most recent significant outdoor recreation development relates to mountain

biking with the creation of three national and two regional trail centres all of which fall under the brand

of ‘MountainBikeNI’. Mountain biking is on the cusp of development in Northern Ireland with future

growth anticipated to create a product comparable with that in Scotland or North Wales.

In addition, Forest Service NI is currently working with external partners, namely local Councils, to

develop the outdoor recreation and tourism potential of its forest estate across Northern Ireland.

Regional Context – ‘The Sperrins’

From 2003 the ‘Sperrins Countryside Recreation Strategy’ was the only strategic document with goals

and targets outlined for the development of outdoor recreation on a regional basis. As discussed many

of these actions were not fulfilled.

From 1999 to 2012 Sperrins Tourism Ltd was a key driving force behind the development and

marketing of tourism in the Sperrins but this was dissolved in August 2013 due to inadequate funding.

With the absence of a co-ordinating body for tourism or even an AONB Officer the only current

document with strategic direction for the regional development of outdoor recreation is the ‘Sperrins

Tourism Destination Management Plan (TDMP)’. This has been produced by BTS on behalf of NITB and

the four district Councils of Omagh, Strabane, Derry and Cookstown.

of 106

The Action Plan in this report is written to take account of the recommendations made by the TDMP

and to complement the vision for the Sperrins which is – “the natural Irish outdoors – an inspirational,

iconic and ancient landscape where adventure is the everyday and every journey unearths our culture”

(2013, pp.3).

The TDMP focuses on the creation of ‘compelling experiences’ and packaging tourism products

including activities - angling, walking, horse-riding and mountain biking and adrenaline and ‘soft’ activities

- with ‘culture and heritage’ and ‘food and drink’ products.

The TDMP highlights four key strategic themes to be addressed on a regional basis:

- Leadership and Collaboration: organising the region as one to compete with other destinations

- Strategic Destination Marketing: developing a brand for the area and integrated marketing to

raise visibility and generate visits

- Enhance the Visitor Experience through quality products and experiences: developing and

integrating the tourism product across the destination

- Improved Access: to and within the destination

There are two key priorities which specifically impact on the actions of this Plan:

- Creating region-wide events and festivals to stimulate visits and longer stays; and

- Taking a region-wide approach to signage to and within the destination

Under the ‘Draft Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland’ the Sperrins Outdoor

Recreation Forum was also established in early 2013 with a regional remit. This is a community-led

network with representatives from sectors including users, landowners, tourism, outdoor activity

providers, sports clubs, wildlife and cultural heritage. The purpose of the forum is “to provide a

mechanism for interested parties to make the outdoors more accessible and enjoyable for outdoor

recreation, in ways that address social, economic and environmental interests, and with regard to issues

of particular local relevance”. Going forward, this group should be an important part of driving the

outdoor recreation agenda forward and lobbying for a joined-up, shared approach to creating and

enhancing strategic access across the region.

Local Context

Derry City Council is the only local council with a dedicated Access Plan. The other councils either

embed access development into their Corporate Strategies or do not have a Corporate or Access

Strategy.

Derry City Council Access Plan 2009-14

Derry City Council has an established Access Forum whose mission statement is ‘to develop

and promote sustainable urban and rural access opportunities within the Derry City Council

area for the purposes of recreational, amenity and tourism gain’. Through this Access Forum

the key aims are to:

- Develop links between the urban conurbations of the city and its wider district

- Recognise that rural laneways and paths are as likely to qualify as Rights of Way

- Prioritise new walks along rivers, woodlands and agricultural areas creating access to sites

of historical and environmental importance

of 106

- Develop walks in the open countryside where walking is fully accepted by the farming

community and were community involvement can facilitate access agreements

Limavady Borough Council Corporate Plan 2012-2015

Under its ‘Quality of Life’ measure, Limavady Borough Council outline ‘access to quality sports,

recreational, play and outdoor facilities including the natural environment across the Borough’

as being a priority for improving the quality of life for its residents and visitors. The Council

also highlight sustainable and cultural tourism as drivers for economic development within the

Borough.

Omagh District Council Corporate Plan 2011-2015

The following objectives are outlined within Omagh District Council’s Corporate Plan for the

next 3 years:

- To enhance the social and leisure infrastructure of the district to create opportunities for

active, engaged and healthy lifestyles

- To develop and promote Omagh district as a region for outdoor activities

- To prioritise walking and cycling, parks and open spaces and develop access to the

countryside through the development of waymarked ways and rights of way

- Deliver a walking festivals project; and

- Work in partnership with others to maximise the potential of the region for outdoor

pursuits

Strabane District Council Corporate Plan 2012-2015

Strabane’s Corporate Plan focuses mostly on sports development and enhancing the Borough’s

facilities, such as pitches and leisure complexes, in order to achieve a ‘healthier, greener and

clear district’.

Sperrins Gateway Landscape Partnership

The Sperrins Gateway Landscape Partnership (SGLP) is one of the key delivery agents for outdoor

recreation in the Sperrins. ‘Enhancing access’ to the Sperrins is one of four main aims of the SGLP with

current projects to develop walking, heritage trails and improve access along the Moyola River corridor.

Although the scheme is a perfect example of partnership-working between local communities,

landowners and interested groups to deliver projects, its remit is confined to the Moyola Valley and

Slieve Gallion area.

Community Associations

Within the Sperrins there are numerous proactive community associations which are important delivery

agents creating new access and activities which directly benefit the local community. Examples include

An Carn, Broughderg Area Community Association, Lough Macrory Community Development

of 106

Association (LCDA) and An Creagan9. At a local level these organisations have been instrumental in

drawing down funding to create new ‘doorstep opportunities’. This bottom-up approach is

characteristic across the Sperrins and these groups will continue to be an important agent for delivering

and negotiating access on the ground.

Outdoor Activity Providers At a local level, the private sector is a key delivery agent providing outdoor activities to the local

community and visitors, both for societal benefit and commercial gain respectively. Private sector

providers represent a key agent in developing ‘niche’ market adventure activities such as zorbing, high

ropes and paintballing which are increasingly appealing to the ‘young and lively’ and thrill seeker

markets.

9 This list serves as an example of community associations across the Sperrins region and is not an exhaustive list.

of 106

8. CURRENT PROVISION

Land

Water

Air

of 106

The following chapter is a summary of the current provision of all 30 activities included within this

study. A brief outline of the current provision is detailed for each.

8.1. Land-based Activities

8.1.1. Adventure Racing

Altnaheglish Reservoir/Banagher Glen, Loughmacrory and Baronscourt Estate were identified as sites

where adventure races and/or triathlons have been hosted and previously organised by local clubs or

private sector event companies.

8.1.2. Archery

Archery is primarily delivered either by organised clubs who are affiliated with the Northern Ireland

Archery Society (NIAS) or private activity providers, both site-based and mobile.

Archery takes place at the following sites:

- Gortnamoyagh Forest (via activity provider)

- The Jungle NI (on site)

- Gortin Activity Centre

- Hunter West Activities (on site)

- Loughry College (via Take a Bow Archery club)

- Baronscourt Estate (on site)

Target archery is the most popular form of archery whereby participants shoot stationary circular

targets at varying distances. However ‘Take a Bow Archery Club’ at Loughry College also facilitates

field archery whereby participants move around a site or rough terrain shooting targets sometimes

disguised as artificial animals.

8.1.3. Boot Camps

For this study, boot camps refer to the use of the outdoors for the improvement of physical fitness.

The Jungle NI, Hunter West Activities and An Creagan were the only providers identified as providing

boot camps on site and using their own surrounding land and facilities.

8.1.4. Bushcraft

Bushcraft is a relatively new, inexpensive outdoor recreation activity growing in prominence across NI

especially amongst activity providers working with youth organisations. It involves the application of

skills such as lighting fire by friction, eating wild food, making a water tight shelter from natural

materials, which enable you to live in the wild for extended periods of time. Although some of the

remote areas lend themselves perfectly to this type of activity the only sites identified through this study

were:

- Drumlamph Farm (provided by An Carn Community Association)

- Gortin Glen Forest Park (via private activity provider)

of 106

8.1.5. Clay Pigeon Shooting

Traditional and laser clay pigeon shooting are both provided in the Sperrins. Both are a form of target

shooting whereby participants use either a shotgun, air rifle or laser to essentially shoot a moving clay

target known as ‘clay pigeons’ which mimic real birds. The following are providers in the Sperrins:

- The Jungle NI

- Hunter West Activities (Collow Quarry School)

- Baronscourt Estate

8.1.6. Climbing

O’Cahan’s Rock in Roe Valley Country Park was identified as the closest natural site for climbing

however this falls outside the project boundary. In the past climbing also occurred at Sloughan Glen

and Butterlope Glen on an informal basis.

The Sperrins does not lend itself very well to the activity of climbing with few topographical features

such as crags and exposed stone faces. Where it does occur it is primarily provided and managed

through private sector activity providers who have access to mobile and/or static artificial climbing walls.

8.1.7. Fell running

Fell running also known as mountain running, is governed by the Northern Ireland Mountain Runners’

Association. It is typically a competitive sport but also a popular leisure activity. No formal provision

for mountain running in the Sperrins was identified however it was recognised that fell running is

popular on an informal basis in the some of the Sperrins forests, e.g. Gortin Glen Forest Park,

Glenshane Forest and Banagher Forest.

No fell-running events or races were identified as being held in the Sperrins.

8.1.8. Cycling

For the purposes of this study ‘cycling’ is split into two categories (i) cycling – on- and off-road, and (ii)

mountain biking. Mountain biking is discussed in section 8.1.11.

Cycling was identified as one of the most popular outdoor recreation activities in the Sperrins. As such

cycling infrastructure is considerably well developed compared to other activities. It was also identified

that the scenic landscape and quiet country roads are the ideal environment for road cycling.

Cycling was mapped and is discussed below as (i) formal trails, (ii) formal sites, (iii) informal sites and (iv)

informal trails (See Figure 5).

There are 12 on-road cycling routes known as ‘The Sperrins Cycle Routes’, developed in 2005 by

Sperrins Tourism Limited. These are all circular, waymarked and range from 11 to 41 miles in length.

Figure 5 shows how they encompass the entire area of the Sperrins and link into the National Cycle

Network (NCN) routes.

- The Gold Cycle Route (31 miles)

- The Sawel Cycle Route (30 miles)

of 106

- The Strule Valley Cycle Route (37 miles)

- The White Hare Cycle Route (36 miles)

- The Lough Fea Cycle Route (41 miles)

- The Derg Valley Cycle Route (30 miles)

- The Banagher Cycle Route (28 miles)

- The Slieve Gallion Cycle Route (25 miles)

- The Moyola Cycle Route (11 miles)

- The Swatragh Cycle Route (15 miles)

- The Eagle’s Glen Cycle Route (14 miles)

- The Bann Valley Cycle Route (16 miles)

NCN routes 91, 92 (Enniskillen – Derry), 93 and 95 all traverse the Sperrins region. Routes 92, 93 and

95 combine to form ‘The Sperrins Region’ - one of seven long distance cycling routes in Northern

Ireland. This is 428 miles in length.

Routes 91, 92 and 93 combine to form the ‘Belfast to Ballyshannon’ route which provides 231 riding

miles in total.

There are several other formal cycle trails provided and promoted on CycleNI.com:

- Faughan Valley Cycle 1



- Newtownstewart to Strabane

- Omagh Riverside Path to Gortnagarn

- Park to Limavady

Several formal, off-road cycling sites, sometimes known as ‘family cycling’ facilities were identified:

- An Creagan

- Claudy Country Park

- Gortin Lakes

- Learmount Forest

- Lough Macrory

- Melvin Sports Complex

- Mourne Riverbank

- River Mourne East Bank

Sites where informal cycling was identified include:

- Banagher Glen NNR

- Loughry College

Despite the considerable provision of formal trails, there is no information regarding usage of these

routes. Except for Cycle NI there is very little information for the visitor about facilities along these

of 106

routes, i.e. accommodation, toilets, cafes, etc. Opportunities for development however were identified

through consultation, both in terms of road cycling and off-road family cycling.

8.1.9. High Ropes /Ziplines

Visitors and local community are able to experience and participate in high ropes’ courses and ziplines

at the following sites via private activity providers:

- The Jungle NI (permanent ‘Go Ape’ course)

- Gortin Glen Forest Park (temporary/mobile course provided by private sector)

8.1.10. Horse Riding

Aside from the sites listed below, limited information exists about horse riding in the Sperrins. It is

known that formal horse riding is available and/or permitted at:

- Barrontop Fun Farm (private)

- Claudy Country Park

- Gortin Glen Forest Park

- Lissan Estate (private)

Provision is a mix of that by local riding clubs on their premises and surrounding land, on private

estates, e.g. Lissan House Riders, on FSNI land and individual hacking on quiet country roads. For

visitors, the Sperrins are a relatively ‘undiscovered’ destination for horse riding compared to County

Down, in that there are not many sites with significant length of trail nor is there easy access to

information for visitors about where they can ride.

8.1.11. Mountain Biking

Mountain biking as a recreational activity and tourism product has been experiencing huge development

and success in Northern Ireland. The last 12 months alone have seen the creation of three national trail

centres at Rostrevor, Castlewellan and Davagh Forest and two regional centres at Barnett Demesne

and Blessingbourne Estate.10 Outdoor Recreation NI is in the process of developing a ‘Mountain Bike

Strategy’ for Northern Ireland which should further guide development and investment.

Figure 6 shows that despite the natural resource there are only two sites where formal mountain biking

is available:

- Davagh Forest

These green, blue and red grade trails were launched in early 2013 and have seen visitor

numbers far exceed expectations. For example, in June 2013, 2102 mountain bikers used the

trails compared to the predicted 1000 per month, meaning actual numbers are double those

predicted before development11.


10 See http://www.mountainbikeni.com/ 11 Figures based on counter data on site

of 106

There are three trails graded from basic to moderate and off-road in the northern end of the

Forest Park. In the past Gortin Glen Forest Park has hosted several mountain bike events and

remains a popular venue with significant potential and community support for further mountain

bike development. Between 1st April and 30th June (3 month period), 1756 mountain bikers

used the trails12.

Informal mountain biking occurs at the following sites:

- Altnaheglish Reservoir

- Banagher NNR

- Banagher Forest

- Garvagh Forest

- Glengawna 'Hells Alley' (from Gortin Glen FP)

- Glenshane Forest

- Gortnamoyagh Forest

- Industrial waste ground outside Omagh town centre

- Iniscarn Forest

- Moydamlaght Forest

- Oughtmore Mountain

- Slieve Gallion

Mountain biking is a mix of site usage and long-distance off-road routes, so-called ‘epic rides’. The

informal trail system in Garvagh Forest continues to be a particularly well used site which hosted the

Irish Mountain Bike Championships in July 2013 showing the capability of this site in its current form to

host national events.

8.1.12. Mountain Boarding

The only site identified as being used for mountain boarding on an informal basis was Glenshane Forest.

8.1.13. Orienteering

Orienteering is relatively well developed in comparison to some other activities, partly due to the areas

being a popular training environment for Duke of Edinburgh, scout and guide groups.

There is one ecotrail within the Sperrins located at Dungiven Castle.

The following sites have permanent orienteering courses (POC):

- Baronscourt Forest

- Learmount Forest


- Drum Manor Forest Park

12 Figures based on data supplied from counter on-site

of 106

The following sites have no permanent course but have been mapped:

- Banagher Forest

- Moydamlaght Forest

- Mullaghmore (open hillside)

- Derrynoyd Forest

- Garvagh Forest

Orienteering is also available on request at, and organised by:

- Baronscourt Estate

Orienteering predominantly occurs within the forested areas except for an area of open hillside around

Mullaghmore (See Figure 7). It is available to the community, clubs and visitors either through activity

providers or contacting the governing body - Northern Ireland Orienteering Association (NIOA).

8.1.14. Paintballing

Paintballing is typically site-based and provided via a private activity provider. The following providers

offer paintballing within their premises:

- The Jungle NI

- Oakfire Adventures

- Action Extreme NI

8.1.15. Segway

The only provider to offer segway tours is The Jungle NI within their own premises and using their own

equipment.

8.1.16. Walking

Like cycling, walking was identified as one the most popular and well-developed forms of outdoor

recreation in the Sperrins.

Despite it being commonly accepted that there is a lack of walking trails in the Sperrins to support the

area being marketed as a short-break destination, this study has revealed an extensive network of

walking trails, both formal and informal used by the local community which span the entire Sperrins

region (See Figure 8). There is however significant issues with this walking product including, but not

limited to signage, access to private land, parking, support services such as toilets, connecting transport

and accommodation and path infrastructure and condition, etc.

Table 6 lists all the formal and informal trails and sites used for walking in the Sperrins identified through

this study.

Formal Trails and Sites

A quality section of the Ulster Way traverses the Sperrins region between Dungiven to the north and

Lough Bradan to the west of the study area.

of 106

There is also one long-distance waymarked way, the North Sperrins Way, from Dungiven to

Binevenagh.

There are 30 ‘quality walks’ within the study area which are promoted through WalkNI.com. 25 of

these are short (0-5 miles) and five are medium (5-20 miles).

There are a number of other formal trails which have been developed and are managed by local

Councils, community associations and public bodies with a community interest, e.g. Sperrins Gateway

Landscape Partnership Scheme (LPS). Many of these are ‘heritage trails’ and have been designed to link

the many features of unique historic and archaeological interest.

There are also a number of sites where walking is permitted (See Table 6).

Informal Trails and Sites

A small selection of 9 walking trails was identified through consultation as popular trails for walking.

These are mostly on quiet country roads, typical of so-called ‘green lanes’ but classified as public roads

therefore removing the issue of access to private land. Many of these routes also link existing formal

trails and as such represent prime opportunities for development (See Figure 8).

Informal walking also occurs on many public land sites where there is not necessarily a designated trail

but the public have a right to access. For example, FSNI have now introduced legislation which states

that the general public have a right to access any of the public forest estate on foot.

Public Rights of Way and Permissive Paths

There is a significant lack of Public Rights of Way in the Sperrins. 18 Rights of Way were identified

through this study totalling 15 miles across the study area. Five permissive paths were identified as

either current, planned or aspirational and total 6.1 miles across the region (See Table 4).

of 106

No. Status Name Council

Length

(miles)

Public Rights of Way

1 Current Old Chapel Road, Warwick's Way Cookstown 0.2

2 Current Learmount Derry 1.1

3 Current Ling Path Derry 0.5

4 Current Rouskey to Greencastle Omagh 2.8

5 Current Robbers Table, Lisnaharney, Gortin Omagh 1.9

6 Current Robbers Lane, Eskradooey, Gortin Omagh 1.9

7 Current Glenelly Road to Landahussey Road Strabane 0.2

8 Current Killyclougher Burn Omagh 1.1

9 Current Fallagh - Rouskey Omagh 0.8

10 Current Cregganconroe Omagh 0.3

11 Current Birchwood Omagh 0.1

12 Current Drum Road Loop, Dunnamore Cookstown 2.2

13 Current Liffon Road to River Foyle Strabane 0.2

14 Current Station Road to Maple Road Strabane 0.1

15 Current Loughry Estate, Dungannon Road Cookstown 1.4

16 Current Loup Road to Ballyeglish Old Grave Yard Cookstown 0.2

17 Current Huddys Way Magherafelt

18 Current Reuben's Glen Magherafelt

Permissive Paths

1 Current Bessy Bell East Strabane 2.8

2 Current Aghascrebagh Ogham Stone Omagh 2.2

3 Current Mc'Cormicks Bridge Omagh 0.4

4 Planned Tireghter Wedge Tomb Derry 0.4

5 Aspirational Straidarran Church Derry 0.3

Table 4 Public Rights of Way (PRoW) and Permissive Paths

Usage

Monitoring the numbers of walkers using the trails is carried out primarily by local councils. However

overall there is a lack of monitoring data. Of that which was available, the following was collated.

Period Walk Numbers

2012 Beaghmore Stones 11,939

2012 Dunnamore Riverside Walk 421

2012 Lough Fea 35,064

Jan-June 2013 Barnes Gap 1034

Apr-June 2013 Gortin Glen Forest Park 804 walkers / 3246 cars

Table 5 Walking Usage

of 106

FORMAL INFORMAL

Quality Walks Trails Sites Trails Sites

Ulster Way (Dungiven – Lough

Bradan) Benbradagh An Creagan An Carn-Glenullin Altnaheglish Reservoir

North Sperrins WMW Bessy Bell East Banagher Glen NNR An Carn-Moneyneany Banagher Forest

Short Q

uality W

alks (0-5 m

iles)

An Creagan Biodiversity Trail Carntogher Heritage Trail Beaghmore SCM Banagher-Moneyneany Baronscourt Forest

Banagher Glen Carntogher Seffin Trail Bolaght Mountain Benedy-Altnaheglish Beechway Playing Fields

Carntogher Skelp

Creabarkey Burn Walk (The)

Boorin Wood-

Curraghchosaly-Church

Hill Bradkeel Forest

Davagh Forest Creggandeveskey

Archaeological Trail Burntollet Wood

Drumnaspar-Plumbridge-

Craignamaddy Creggan Forest

Drumlamph Wood Drumbane Trail Cabin Wood Glenshane-Benedy Donemana Playing Fields

Drum Manor Forest Park - Forest

Plots Trail

Dungiven Castle - Banagher

Glen Claudy Country Park Glenshane-Seffin Drumnaspar

Drum Manor Forest Park - Manor

Terrace and Pleasure Grounds

Trail Dungiven Priory

Cullion Community

Woodland Gortin Burn Drumquin

Drum Manor Forest Park -

Woodland Trail Dunnamore Riverside Walk Davagh Forest Fairhill Playing Fields

Errigal Glen Walk

H2H Castlederg Derrynoyd Forest Faughanview Pitches

Garvagh Forest - Pyramid Trail H2H Cookstown Drum Manor Forest Park Glenshane Forest

Garvagh Forest - River Trail H2H Dungiven Drumlamph Woodland Goles Forest

Gortin Forest - Ladies View Trail H2H Melvin Sports Arena Dungiven Castle Gortnamoyagh Forest

of 106

Environmental Park

Gortin Forest - Nature Trail H2H Omagh Garvagh Forest Iniscarn Forest

Gortin Forest - Pollen Trail H2H Riversdale Strabane Gortin Glen Forest Park Killens Forest

Gortin Lakes H2H Strabane Greenbrae Wetland Ligfordrum Forest

Lough Fea Learmount Forest Walk Killaloo Wood Lough Fingrean

Lough Macrory Manor Park Path Learmount Forest Moneymore Playing Fields

Moor Lough Old Dublin Road Lissan House Estate Moydamlaght Forest

Ness Country Park - Ervey Wood Omagh Historic Town Trail Lough Fea Omagh Leisure Complex

Ness Country Park - Ness Wood Slieve Gallion/Iniscarn Loughmacrory Pinewood Pitches

Ness, Ervey & Burntollet Tannyranny Mitchell Park

Sloughan Glen Mourne Riverbank

Springhill House Walk Oak Lough

Strabane Canal River Mourne East Bank

Carntogher Way Springhill Estate

Medium Q

uality

Walks (5-20 m

iles) Causeway Hill

Vaughans Holm

Craignamaddy Circuit Wellbrook Beetling Mill

Robber's Table

Vinegar Hill Loop

Table 6 Current Walking Provision the Sperrins (Formal and Informal)

of 106

8.1.17. Zorbing

Like paintballing, zorbing is typically site-based and provided via a private activity provider. The

following providers offer zorbing within their premises:

- The Jungle NI

- Oakfire Adventures

8.2. Water-based Activities

8.2.1. Angling

Angling currently takes place on the majority of rivers and loughs/lakes in the Sperrins however the

pattern of use differs between water courses with some being over-subscribed and others under-

subscribed (See Figure 9). Specific courses identified through this study are:

Rivers Agivey, Burn Dennett, Cabin Wood, Camowen, Clady River, Derg River, Drumragh,

Fairy Water, Faughan, Foyle, Glenelly, Mourne, Mourne East Bank, Moyola,

Owenkillew, Roe and Strule.

Loughs/Lakes Baronscourt Lakes (x3), Cashel Lake Trout Fishery, Gortin Lakes, Lough Ash, Lough

Fea, Loughmacrory, Melvin Sports Complex, Moor Lough, Moyagh Trout Fishery,

Rectory Lodge Trout Fishery, Tobermore Ponds and Vaughans Holm

Of the three different categories of fishing (coarse, game and sea), two are available on the Sperrin

waters’ – coarse and game. Most of the rivers in the Sperrins are ‘spate’ rivers and so provide ideal

‘game’ environments for migratory fish such as salmon and sea trout.

Similar to the rest of Northern Ireland, to go angling in the Sperrins is a complicated process of

permits and licenses. The fishing rights will also differ depending on the river or lough/lake and as

such territorial issues can arise. In some cases the fishing rights may be courtesy of one party but

another party is responsible for issuing the permit and rod license.

For both the local community and visitors interested in recreational angling this can be a

complicated system exacerbated by the lack of co-ordinated information about where to fish, catch

and release’ policies, start and end dates for the angling season, where and how to access the

different rivers and loughs, etc.

These issues are largely removed however when angling is provided either through a private activity

provider or on a private estate, whereby the provider owns the rights, provides the permits, offers

advice, acts as a ‘guilly’ or guide and arranges transport and/or accommodation.

On the other hand several major events have been held in the Sperrins, e.g. the Youth Fly Fishing

Championships in Lough Macrory and the World Fly Fishing Championships in July 2013.

In response to the outlined issues and others not detailed above, Sport NI and NITB in partnership

with DCAL and Loughs Agency are in the process of conducting a ‘Strategic Review of Angling’

across the whole of Northern Ireland. This review involves auditing the current provision and

participation levels and identifying what needs to be done to allow angling in Northern Ireland to

reach its full potential. The intended outcome of both the Angling Review and this study are the

same and therefore the recommendations from the Angling Review for the Sperrins should be fed

into this Action Plan as and when they become available.

of 106

8.2.2. Boat Cruising

No boat cruising sites were identified through this study in the Sperrins.

8.2.3. Canoeing/Kayaking

Similar to walking and cycling, canoeing and kayaking are also very popular outdoor activities taking

place in the Sperrins. This is directly related to the quality of paddling available – the rivers in the

Sperrins offering some of the best white water in Northern Ireland, in particular the River Mourne

(See Figure 10).

The following rivers and lakes have been identified as being currently used for canoeing and kayaking:

- Ballinderry River

Accessing from Ardtrea, the Ballinderry River provides an 8km stretch of grade II water

from Corkhill Bridge to Cookstown with weirs at regular intervals.

- Gortin Lakes

An ideal site for water sports development, canoeing on these lakes is primarily provided

through private activity providers and in particular, ‘Four Elements Adventure’

- Glenelly River

Grade III water between Plumbridge and the confluence of Owenkillew River below Gortin.

Access is from Corrick Bridge.

- Lough Macrory

This is a community-run site managed by Lough Macrory Community Development

Association (LCDA) who has an agreement with NI Water which allows the association to

organise and host canoeing events. There is good access to the water and a good provision

of support services in terms of parking, toilets and changing facilities. LCDA is also planning

to develop a canoe club based at the Lough, with equipment funded by Omagh District

Council.

- Mourne River

Accepted to be the best white water river in Northern Ireland in terms of water volume

and natural rapids. Starting in Newtownstewart and finishing in Strabane, this river offers

rapids of grades II-III/IV. Between ‘The Fisheries’ at Newtownstewart and Sion Mills there is

white water with waves, rapids and play holes at grade II-III. Access points exist at

Newtownstewart, New Bridge, confluence of the Derg, Victoria Bridge, Sion Mills and

Strabane.

- Owenkillew River

Starting from Gortin Bridge this is an excellent grade II river with a grade III rapid.

- River Faughan

There is natural bank access to this river at Park Bridge, Claudy. During high water it

provides good white water and a broken weir provides an ideal area for play sports.

- River Roe

of 106

Ideal for touring paddlers the River Roe is shallow from Dungiven to O’Cahan’s Rock in Roe

Valley Country Park where there is white water from the Rock to the car park at grade II-III.

Access points at Dungiven, Carrick Rocks, Dog Leap and O’Cahan’s Rock.

- River Strule

Grade I-II provided from Omagh town to Newtownstewart with a mix of small weirs and

shingle rapids. A weir recently installed in Omagh should be avoided.

- Swanns Bridge

Formal access to the River Roe from here.

- Upper Derg River

Flowing east from Lough Derg to Castlederg, this section provides 9km of grade III-IV

rapids.

- Vaughans Holm

Provides access to Mourne River in Newtownstewart.

The Foyle Canoe Trail (53kms long) also falls to the west of the project boundary. It starts in Lifford

and finishes downstream in Moville near the mouth of Lough Foyle with several stopping points

along the way. Because this section of the River Foyle is also tidal, paddlers have the unique

opportunity to travel back upstream, making this a valuable canoeing product in the Sperrins.

8.2.4. Hovercrafting

No sites were identified through this study where hovercrafting takes place.

8.2.5. Rowing

Rowing typically requires a minimum of 2-3 miles of slow moving water which must be a minimum of

80-100 feet wide. There are few sites within the Sperrins that are suitable for rowing. Although

outside the project boundary, rowing takes place on the River Foyle at Londonderry up to the

Lifford Bridge at the confluence of the River Mourne and Finn provided by the City of Derry Boat

Club.

There may be potential to develop rowing further upstream towards Strabane and at Altnaheglish

Reservoir.

8.2.6. Sailing

No sites were identified through this study where sailing takes place.

8.2.7. Slalom

No sites were identified through this study where slalom canoeing takes place.

of 106

8.2.8. SUP

Although outside the project boundary stand up paddleboarding is available on the River Foyle and is

provided by Long Line Water Trails, an off shoot of Long Line Surf School. The activity is run from

Swann’s Bridge just outside Limavady where formal canoe access, parking and picnic tables have

recently been upgraded by Limavady Borough Council.

8.2.9. Water skiing/Wakeboarding

There were no waterskiing and/or wakeboarding sites identified through this study. However Moor

Lough was identified as a site where jet skiing occurred in the past on a permissive basis from the

Northwest Personal Watercraft Club.

8.3. Air-based Activities

8.3.1. Aero-modelling

No sites were identified through this study where model flying takes place.

8.3.2. Gliding

Although situated outside the scope of this study, the Ulster Gliding Club based at Bellareena

Airfield near Limavady is the nearest venue to offer gliding.

8.3.3. Hang Gliding/Paragliding

Hang gliding is the activity of flying or soaring through the air suspended in a harness from a single,

fixed wing aircraft overhead. It is non-motorised and requires a foot launch. Paragliding is where a

glider sits in a harness suspended from a fabric ‘parachute-type’ kite above his/her head.

Except for experienced individuals gliding solo, the Ulster Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club

(UHGPC) is the primary provider of hang gliding and paragliding in Northern Ireland. In the Sperrins

the club launch from the following sites, with prior agreement with the landowner:

- Benbradagh Mountain

- Boviel Mountain

- Slieve Gallion

- White Mountain

- Craigagh Hill

Moreso than many of the other activities considered in this project hang and paragliding is entirely

dependent on the daily weather conditions. It is an expensive sport and requires a process of tuition

and assessment before an individual can glide unsupervised.

of 106

8.3.4. Micro-light Flying

Carrickmore Flying School, based in Carrickmore is the only known provider of micro-light tuition

within the Sperrins region.

8.3.5. Sky Diving

Wild Geese Parachute School based at Movenis Airfield in Garvagh is the only known provider of

sky diving within the Sperrins region.

8.4. Multi-Use ‘Hub’ Sites

The pattern of outdoor recreation provision in the Sperrins is also characterised by activity-based

‘hubs’ defined as multi-use sites which offer a variety of both outdoor activities and support visitor

services (accommodation, community services, cafe/restaurant, toilets, changing facilities, parking,

etc.) in the one place.

There are several good practice examples in the Sperrins, both publicly and privately

owned/managed.

The Jungle NI

This is a privately run site located in Moneymore offering the visitor a multitude of ‘adventure’

activities including paintballing, zorbing, forest segway tours, llama trekking, etc. The Jungle NI is also

home to Northern Ireland’s first and only ‘Go Ape’ style high ropes course which has two variations,

a tree tops course for adults or ‘Tarzans’ and one aimed at ‘Mowglis’ or children aged 5-11 years.

The Jungle NI and other such top-quality private sector activity providers are assets to the Sperrins

region in terms of what they add to the outdoor recreation and tourism offering. This type of

centre appeals to a specific, niche market, i.e. NITB’s ‘young and lively’, the adrenaline seekers, youth

and corporate groups and hen/stag parties. However despite providing a ‘unique experience’ which

fulfils NITB’s ‘experiential tourism’, typically it does not hold visitors in the area for longer than a

few hours to a day. As such there is a missed opportunity in providing additional activities or

experiences for these visitors which could be distributed throughout the rest of the Sperrins.

Nonetheless this is an excellent example of how a provider has capitalised on the unique

environment and potential ‘destination branding’ that the Sperrins has to offer.

Lough Macrory

Owned and managed by the Loughmacrory Community Development Association (LCDA), the site

has a 1.3 mile walking and cycling path around the Lough with seating and interpretation. On the

Lough itself, jetties have been installed for anglers and boat hire is available. The community is also

proactive and has arranged several family fun days engaging the local community in outdoor

activities, as well as hosting the national triathlon series and the Junior World Angling

Championships in 2013. Canoeing also takes place and in the future the Association plans to create

a canoe club with its own equipment based out of the new community centre. There are also plans

of 106

to extend the walking trail to include Lough Fingrean and Lough Carn and potentially in the future

link into An Creagan.

An Creagan

An Creagan Visitor Centre is a community resource located halfway between the towns of Omagh

and Cookstown and therefore represents a valuable off-road resource providing door-step access to

the rural countryside and archaeology of the Sperrin Mountains for the communities of both towns.

An Creagan provides outdoor activities, bike hire and self-catering accommodation. It has a

restaurant, exhibitions and conference and wedding facilities and organises a programme of

community events and courses linked to outdoor recreation, arts, music, skills and built heritage.

The site has a play park and walking trails which link to the neighbouring forest.

An Carn

Owned and managed by the Carntogher Community Association, the centre known as ‘An Carn’ has

recently undergone development with a new ‘Arts Centre’ added which can be used by the local

schools, for music/dance events, for organised courses and community events. The Association has

developed several walking and heritage trails both on Carntogher Mountain and private farmland and

it has also recently bought Drumlamph Farm which it plans to develop as a community resource

with allotments and trails linking to Drumlamph Wood.

An Carn, like An Creagan and Lough Macrory represent best practice examples of outdoor

recreation, access and activities which have been developed and driven forward by the community.

Broughderg

Broughderg Area Community Association has been instrumental in driving access and recreation

development for residents and visitors within the local community, in particular the Davagh Forest

mountain bike trails. The Community Association continues to be an important lobby and delivery

agent for products and services related to these trails and surrounding attractions.

8.5. Activity Providers

23 private sector activity providers were identified as either being based in or operating in the

Sperrins region. 11 of these are site based, eight are mobile and two have both a site and are

mobile. It was identified that the majority of the outdoor providers package their activities to

improve the visitor experience. For visitors they not only provide the opportunity for unique

experiences such as high ropes and zorbing but also remove the obstacles or ‘disincentives’ which

may make an activity break less appealing, such as arranging angling permits and licenses, providing

equipment, arranging transfers and accommodation and providing local knowledge of the area.

The majority of providers consulted through this study also work with youth groups rather than

tourists. Also mobile operators tend to use publicly-owned venues because they provide a good

infrastructure of basic services such as parking, toilets and changing facilities.

of 106

8.6. Summary

Current outdoor recreation provision in the Sperrins exists on a number of levels. There are sites

which accommodate activities within a defined area, trails which span the Sperrins region and

‘activity hubs’ which encompass a cluster of activities, provide supporting visitor services and allow

the running of events. Access to all of the above is a mix of permissive paths, Public Rights of Way,

open access to public land, controlled access to private land and de-facto access particularly in the

uplands.

The key findings regarding current provision are summarised below:

- Outdoor recreation is being delivered by four main groups: local councils, landscape

partnership schemes, community associations and private sector activity providers

- There is a lack of ‘formal’ outdoor recreation/activity tourism product

- There is a lack of PRoW and permissive paths

- Insufficient monitoring information about current usage exists

- Walking, cycling, mountainbiking, angling and canoeing are the activities which are most

frequently engaged in and have the greatest potential for future product development

- There is a place for both the traditional ‘soft’ activities such as walking, canoeing, cycling and

fishing but also the ‘adventure’ activities such as high ropes, zorbing and paintballing

- Mountain biking development represents a significant opportunity for both outdoor

recreation and activity tourism development

- The forests represent an ‘untapped’ natural, off-road resource for outdoor recreation

development

- There is an opportunity to link up and build on the success of existing ‘hub’ sites such as An

Creagan, Lough Macrory and An Carn

- A lesson can be learned from packaging activities in the way private activity providers have

tailored their businesses

When comparing the status of current outdoor recreation against the strategic context outlined in

Chapter 7, the following observations can also be made:

- Development is accelerating ahead of Strategies

- Significant work delivered by LPS’s and community organisations is not being captured by

strategies and local and central government departments

- There is a missed opportunity in partnership working and information sharing between central

and local government and the local community and private sector

- There is a significant gap in the reality of the product on the ground and what people perceive

there to be

Overall, the lack of a strategic document and vision to which all stakeholders can agree and work

towards has meant that the pattern of outdoor recreation development has been largely SILO-

approached. Local councils, landscape partnership schemes, private activity providers and proactive

community organisations have all been successful at creating new opportunities for outdoor

of 106

recreation and access to the outdoors but mostly at a site level. For example the Sperrins has

numerous exemplar sites including Lough Macrory, Lough Fea, Learmount Forest, An Creagan,

Claudy Country Park and Moor Lough however the connectivity between these sites and the

different activities is lacking. Going forward partnership working towards a shared vision and targets

will be critical in developing the Sperrins as a stand out, short-break signature destination.

of 106

Figure 5 Current Provision - Cycling

of 106

Figure 6 Current Provision - Mountain Biking

of 106

Figure 7 Current Provision - Orienteering

of 106

Figure 8 Current Provision - Walking

of 106

Figure 9 Current Provision - Angling

of 106

Figure 10 Current Provision - Canoeing

of 106

9. CONSULTATION RESULTS

of 106

An extensive process of consultation was carried out with individual Council Officers, national

governing bodies (NGBs), public and statutory agencies, public and private landowners, outdoor

activity providers, community associations and groups, clubs, SORF members and the general public.

As well as direct and indirect interviews, four public consultation events were held:

- An Creagan Visitor Centre on 13th August had 23 attendees

- The Diamond Centre, Claudy on 14th August had 11 attendees

- Kilcronaghan Activity Centre on 20th August had12 attendees

- Newtownstewart Centre 2000 on 29th August had 25 attendees

In total, 71 participants representing 47 different organisations attended. A proportion of the

participants were classed as ‘independent’ members of the public, not affiliated to an organised

group, with interests in climbing, mountain biking, walking, orienteering, canoeing and road cycling.

This chapter summarises the main consultation responses which tended to fall under one of the

following headings:

- Issues and Barriers to Development

Themes: Management Structures, Outdoor Recreation Product, Marketing/Promotion

- Opportunities for Development

Themes: Management Structures, Outdoor Recreation Product, Marketing/Promotion

Throughout the consultation process discussion tended to focus around three common themes

which have been highlighted above and are discussed below. The opportunities for development

have been adapted and taken forward into the Action Plan as recommendations for development.

9.1. Issues and Barriers to Development

9.1.1. Management Structures

The following issues regarding the current management of the Sperrins were identified:

- There is no dedicated AONB Officer or Management Plan

- There is no one co-ordinating, management body for the Sperrins which is responsible for

protection, management and development of the AONB

- Omagh and Strabane District Council’s have no dedicated Access Officers

- The Sperrins is divided between seven different council areas with different agendas, priorities,

budgets and interpretations of the access legislation

- RPA may pose a barrier to outdoor recreation development, as merged Councils undergo the

restructuring process, e.g. some development plans and spending budgets may be reprioritised

9.1.2. Outdoor Recreation Product

The issues and barriers affecting the outdoor recreation product can be discussed under two

headings, (i) activities and their infrastructure and (ii) supporting visitor services and facilities which

complement the product and tourism offering. In general consultees observed the following:

of 106

Activities

- There is a lack of formal product

- Connectivity between communities and green space is poor

- Public liability fears discourage private landowners from creating formal walks on their land

- There is a lack of council support for adopting, insuring and maintaining formal walks which have

been identified by the community as being viable for development as permissive paths

- Wind farm developments may affect development on private land as trails/permissive paths may

negatively affect any wind turbine applications made in the future

- Community buy-in for tourism is lacking amongst some rural communities

Facilities/Services

- There is a lack of quality supporting visitor facilities such as changing facilities, parking, toilets,

accommodation, public transport, camping, etc

- There is a lack of partnership working between activity and accommodation providers

9.1.3. Marketing and Promotion

Consultees made the following comments about marketing and promotion:

- The dissolution of Sperrins Tourism Ltd has had a significant negative impact on the co-

ordinated marketing of tourism in the region

- There is a generic lack of promotion and marketing for the Sperrins region as a whole

- General visitor welcome to the Sperrins is poor

- There is no ‘destination brand’ for the Sperrins

9.2. Opportunities for Development

Consultees identified and discussed opportunities for development, many of which directly address

the issues above.

9.2.1. Management Structures

In the next 5-10 years consultees would also like to see the following:

- A Sperrins AONB Management Body

- A dedicated AONB Officer

- An AONB Management Plan

- More support from Councils to insure and maintain PRoW/permissive paths where they are

being identified at the community level

of 106

9.2.2. Product Development

In the next 5-10 years consultees would like to see the following activities developed with

improvements made to the provision and quality of both the activity and its infrastructure. The

following general comments were made:

- Walking

o Develop upland, foothill and riverside walks, community path networks and increase the

number of permissive paths

- Cycling (On- and off-road)

o Extend cycle paths/lanes, develop BMX and pump tracks, and host more events

- Mountain biking

o Extend current trails at Davagh, and establish a national and region trail centre at Gortin

and Garvagh Forest, respectively.

- Angling

o Improve access, focus investment on public lakes, host more events and support

community associations

- Orienteering

o Improve the current site maps and map new sites

- Canoeing

o Improve infrastructure and support club development

As well as the recommendations made about specific activities it was also noted that activities often

occur in clusters. There is opportunity to build on this pattern by focusing future development

within ‘activity hubs’ where improvements in access would benefit multiple users. The following

hubs were identified by consultees - Gortin Glens (Forest Park, Village and Lakes), Glenelly Valley,

Lough Macrory and An Creagan and An Carn, Dungiven and Banagher.

Consultees also identified the importance of having a good foundation of visitor services and

facilities to support tourism growth. The following was identified:

- Reopening closed or abandoned buildings to create visitor attractions or services, e.g. Garvagh

High School, Derrynoyd House, Sperrins Heritage Centre

- Use and promotion of community centres and buildings, e.g. Benedy Community Centre to

provide services to walkers and cyclists

9.2.3. Marketing and Promotion

Consultees also suggested the following marketing opportunities:

- Development of a ‘one stop’ website for information about all activities and in the Sperrins

- Better promotion of existing products, e.g. Sperrins Cycle Routes

- Products built into ‘packages’ which offer visitors value for money and encourage longer stays

- Better promotion of accommodation

- A ‘Sperrins Walking Guide’ produced with a variety of graded walks, distances and itineraries

sensibly planned around accommodation.

of 106

10. SWOT ANALYSIS

of 106

The following macro-SWOT analysis details the strengths and weaknesses affecting outdoor

recreation in the Sperrins and the opportunities and threats that have the potential to influence the

future development.

of 106

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

Management Structures

- ‘Sperrins Tourism Destination Management Plan’

- Development delivered by Sperrins Gateway Landscape Partnership

- Development delivered by proactive community associations, e.g. An Creagan, Lough Macrory, An Carn, Learmount

Community

- Establishment of Sperrins Outdoor Recreation Forum

Outdoor Recreation Product

- Existing product of ‘quality’ walking routes, cycle trails, mountain bike trail centre at Davagh, etc.

- Abundance of white water rivers for canoeing/kayaking

- Quality of rivers for angling

- Current ‘niche’ activity provision through outdoor activity providers, e.g. Jungle NI, Hunter West Activities, Oakfire

Adventures, Action Extreme NI, etc

- Unique ‘adventurous’ activity products currently on offer, e.g. SUP river trails, high ropes (Go Ape), paintballing,

zorbing

- Variety of habitats, e.g. mountain, valleys, upland heath, blanket bog, grassland, forests, etc.

- Scenic landscape

- Rich heritage and archaeological sites

- Growing popularity of ‘ecotourism’ and ‘slow’ activities such as bush crafts and forest schools, such as that provided

by the private sector, e.g. Far & Wild

- Current events, e.g. Irish Fly Fishing Championships (cross-border) at Lough Macrory and Irish Mountain bike

championships (Garvagh)

- Strong sense of community especially in rural villages

Visitor Services & Facilities

- Abundance and quality of community facilities and buildings

Marketing & Promotion

- Recently produced ‘Sperrins Guide’ for visitors


- No AONB Officer or Management Plan

- No dedicated Access Officer in Strabane District Council or Omagh District Council

- Dissolution of Sperrins Tourism Ltd

- 7x local councils with different agendas, priorities and approaches to access

- Conflicting incentive of DARD’s RDP programme to develop access for rural tourism and DARD’s SFP

which is reduced for land which is not agricultural

- Access legislation is weak

- Silo approach of stakeholders


- Walking: lack of formal, waymarked trails, lack of low-level walks, lack of access to the uplands for walking

- Holding visitors in the area for longer than a single-trip

- Signage and route of UW through Sperrins

- Poor connectivity between communities and green space

- User conflict in congested areas

- Angling: no fishing on River Faughan, lack of sites, access for local to over-subscribed rivers

- Orienteering: out of date maps

- Poor community buy-in for recreation development and activity tourism

- Lack of PRoW and permissive paths

- Poor access to archaeological sites and uplands, especially Sawel and Dart Mountain

- Limited support at Council level to adopt, insure and maintain potential permissive paths

Visitor Services & Facilities

- Lack of visitor services e.g. accommodation, toilets, parking, changing facilities, equipment hire, etc

- Lack of collaboration between sectors within the tourism industry

- Lack of walking guides

- Lack of accommodation and pick up points along the Ulster Way

- Public transport and Sperrins Rambler Service

- Lack of formal campsites like Barnes Gap

- No TIC in Dungiven


- Signage – style, brand, inconsistency to the region and trail waymarking

- Lack of packaged walks promotable by ORNI for a ‘short break’

- Lack of visitor welcome

- Poor dissemination of information about current activities

- Lack of packaged activities and experiential tourism

- Lack of vision for what Sperrins wants to be to visitors / lack of USP

- Lack of destination branding despite unique heritage and landscape value

- Perception of remote areas being ‘unsafe’

of 106

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS


- Develop one overall Management Body, e.g. Sperrins Partnership

- Appointment of AONB Officer working jointly on behalf of and in partnership with all 7 councils in a joined up co-

ordinated approach

- AONB Management Plan

- More partnership working between community organisations (increased opportunities for linking facilities and

applying for funding)

- RPA – opportunity for new partnerships

- FSNI’s MoU allows Councils to manage forests to provide additional/new tourism and outdoor recreation facilities


- Walking: uplands and foothills, low level walks, riverside walks, pathways linking communities and green space and

linking existing walks, focus on agreed routes and potential permissive paths

- Cycling: on- and off- road, touring, events, e.g. ‘Sperrins Sportive’

- Mountain biking: creation of a national centre at Gortin Glen Forest Park and a regional centre at Garvagh, extend

Davagh trails, host events and develop long-distance, epic rides, BMX and pump tracks

- Angling: more starter lakes, e.g. Tobermore Ponds and Lough Macrory, improve infrastructure, host events and

promote activity

- Orienteering: develop new maps and upgrade existing maps

- Activity hubs: Glenelly Valley/ Gortin Glen/ Davagh and Lough Fea/ An Creagan and Lough Macrory/ Park and

Learmount/ An Carn, Dungiven, Moneyneena and Draperstown

- Improve disabled access

- Development of ‘green roads’ to create new and extend community path networks (walking and cycling)

- Bottom-up engagement with private landowners

- Hold more events

- Consolidate and enhance the existing product as a basis for increasing provision and participation

- Development of a long-distance route like West Highland Way

- Eco-tourism

Facilities & Services

- Signage: destination signage, trail waymarking and signage to sites and trails

- Formal camping sites, mountain bothys and camping pods, e.g. Doraville

- Abandoned/closed buildings – Derrynoyd House, Sperrins Heritage Centre, Ulster History Park, Garvagh High

School, Draperstown Plantation School ‘Cranny’s School’

- Development of community centres to provide visitor/activity facilities, e.g. toilets, showers, changing, etc.


- Marketing Plan for the Sperrins region incorporating various media form, e.g. web-based portal, ‘Sperrins App’,

facebook etc to better promote existing product

- Industry workshops with tourism and hospitality sector

- Package activity experiences

- Develop a ‘Walkers Guide’

- Better promote accommodation and activity providers


- No one coordinating body responsible for the protection, management and development of the Sperrins,

e.g. Mourne Heritage Trust

- RPA: projects reprioritised, budgets re-allocated


- Wind farm development may affect permissive paths, scenic landscape, access development

- Funding: availability and sources


- No one ‘destination’ brand for marketing and promotion (dissolution of Sperrins Tourism)

- Public liability insurance – perception of claims

- Poor community buy-in for tourism (leisure/activity/heritage)

- Poor industry buy-in for outdoor recreation development

- Competing agendas of multiple stakeholders and SILO approach (vertical flow of information) – lack of

partnership working

- Private landowners penalised through SFP when creating access (affects payment for agricultural land) yet

encouraged to create access through RDP

- Negative perception of Sperrins, e.g. ‘less pretty than the Mournes’, remote and unsafe in places, political

unrest

- Funding: raising awareness, identification of sources, availability, securing match funding

of 106

11. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT


Product Development


of 106

This chapter is split into three sub-sections which outline the priorities for growth under the three

themes of ‘Management Structures’, ‘Product Development’ and ‘Marketing and Promotion’. These

heading are in order of importance; the current management structure and lack of a co-ordinated

approach is not sustainable nor is it adequate to support either future product development or

marketing and promotion. Without a change in the current approach the recommendations made

below will not be feasible.

The recommendations outlined in Section 11.1, 11.2 and 11.3 have been summarised into 21 over-

arching actions to create a ‘Strategic Action Plan’ designed to act as a vision and a framework for the

integrated development of outdoor recreation across the Sperrins.

11.1. Management Structures

The following recommendations are critical to all the actions in this report being delivered. Without

a co-ordinating body with an appropriate staffing structure and statutory buy-in, similar to that of the

Belfast Hills Partnership, much of the actions in this report are devoid of a ‘lead organisation’ and

therefore will struggle to be delivered.

The following three actions are the considered highest priority against all others going forward:

- Establish an AONB Management Body, for example a 'Sperrins Partnership' responsible for the

management, development and promotion of the AONB which has statutory buy-in from central

and local government. This ‘Partnership’ should ideally have a staffing structure made up of

officers responsible for tourism, outdoor recreation and management of the AONB.

- Appoint a dedicated Sperrins AONB Officer to develop an AONB management plan

- Appoint a dedicated Outdoor Recreation Development Officer responsible for the regional

development of outdoor recreation in the Sperrins but integrated with the regional tourism

agenda

11.2. Product Development

Product development can be broken down into three categories with actions relating to (i) access,

(ii) activities, (iii) visitor services and facilities, and/or (iv) activity hubs.

Access

Areas with priority for development are:

- Improve disabled access and facilities across a range of different activities

- Develop sustainable access to the uplands ensuring a minimal long-term impact so the

resource that the Forum is trying to promote is protected

- Consider opportunities within the Sperrins public forest estate

- Support the adoption of a common approach to the 1983 Access Legislation with specific regard

to ‘Open Country’ access

- Develop community path networks linking communities with each other and green space

of 106

- Develop access to and along rivers for the shared benefit of canoeists, anglers and walkers

Activities

The following outdoor recreation activities have been recommended as priority for development:

Angling, Canoeing, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Orienteering, and Walking.

Angling

This activity should be developed by increasing the number of new sites where angling can take

place concentrating on those sites underused, enhancing access to existing sites, hosting more

events, improving the physical infrastructure especially for disabled persons and supporting the

community management of public water sites.

Canoeing

Developing access to and facilities at water courses will have a direct benefit to other water

users. It is also a sustainable activity which is easily managed in partnership with anglers and

does not have a negative effect on water quality. Development should be done in partnership

with the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (CANI) and local clubs to create access and

facilities which are fit for purpose, sensibly designed and located.

Cycling (On- and Off-Road)

Cycle touring and family cycling represent areas with significant potential for growth in the

Sperrins because of the network of quiet ‘green’ roads with high scenic value. Cycling

development should concentrate on consolidating and promoting the existing routes, increasing

participation through events and increasing provision by developing cycling at new sites.

Mountain Biking

It is recognised mountain biking offers the greatest potential for development as not only does

the area’s topography lend itself to development but also because currently there is only a small

amount of formal provision in the area versus the high level of informal mountain biking going on

(See Figure 12).

The following have been identified as priorities:

- Establishing a national trail centre at Gortin Glen Forest Park

- Establishing a regional trail centre at Garvagh Forest

- Extending the existing trails at Davagh Forest

The above should all complement and build on the current MountainBikeNI brand.

of 106

Orienteering

Development does not particularly have to be in the form of a permanent orienteering course.

Priority for development instead focuses on identifying and mapping new sites, particularly in

forests, where because of forestry operations the current map is no longer relevant.

Walking

For walking, priority should be given to: (See Figure 13):

- Creating walks in the uplands, in the foothills and along rivers with a mix of challenging and

non-challenging routes

- Developing agreed routes over private land

- Developing routes already identified in the ‘Sperrins Walking Audit’ and by Sperrins

Gateway LPS, e.g.

o Ulster Way (upgrade off-road through Magherafelt from Strabane boundary to

Limavady boundary)

o Huddy's Way upgrade

o Eagle's Rock -Mullaghmore Trail

o Crockmore/Crockbrack Trail

o Spelhoagh ridgeway

o Iniscarn Short, Medium & Long

o Reuben's Glen-Slievegallion Trail

o Lissan House trails

o Derrynoyd Trail

o Moyola River Trail

- Building strategic links between sites, e.g. An Creagan and Lough Macrory

- Creating community path networks which connect communities with each other and link

urban towns and villages with green space.

Visitor Services and Facilities

Improving the provision and quality of visitor services and facilities considered key to encouraging

participation and improving visitor experience. The following three options are considered priority

for development:

- Increase the provision of formal camping facilities, such as ‘rough’ sites, camping pods, bothy’s,

etc. which cater for walkers, mountain bikers and cycle tours.

- Building the capacity of community centres and halls, and abandoned/closed buildings in public

ownership, to provide services for walkers and cyclists such as toilets, rough camping, showers,

a cafe or vending machines and changing facilities, e.g. Benedy Community Centre, Derrynoyd

House and Sperrins Heritage Centre

of 106

Activity Hubs

The term ‘activity hub’ refers to the clustering of activities and supporting visitor services within a

confined area providing the local/visitor ample opportunities to spend a single or multi-day trip.

‘Activity hubs’ will typically have a multitude of outdoor recreation activities with good connectivity

between all resources, e.g. a path may be multi use or canoe steps may also provide access for

anglers.

It was recognised that where possible it is sustainable to focus investment and development on

activities and visitor services occurring within ‘activity hubs’. The following hubs are identified (see

Figure 11):

- Glenelly Valley

- Gortin Glen (Village, Lakes and Forest Park)

- An Creagan and Lough Macrory

- An Carn, Dungiven, Banagher, Moneyneena and Draperstown

- Lough Fea, Davagh Forest and Broughderg

- Park and Learmount

11.3. Marketing & Promotion

Four main areas were considered priority for development:

- Creating a strong destination brand for the Sperrins and increasing visitor welcome

- Developing a comprehensive Marketing Plan for the region which better promotes the existing

product and raises the profile of the Sperrins as a short-break destination

o involving participation in road shows and trade events and developing a web-based

portal, e.g. Sperrins website and/or 'app', to promote and raise awareness of outdoor

recreation and tourism activities in the Sperrins

- Developing signage which is sustainable, appropriately located, fit-for-purpose (for walking or

driving) and fits into a common ‘Sperrins’ brand and style similar to that developed for the

Mournes destination

- Hosting more events

of 106

Figure 11 Activity Hubs

of 106

Figure 12 Future Development - Mountain Biking

of 106

Figure 13 Future Development - Walking

of 106

11.4. Strategic Action Plan

This ‘Strategic Action Plan’ outlines a strategic framework for the integrated development of

outdoor recreation in the Sperrins. It contains the over-arching principles for future development

which have been formed by condensing and generalising the 73 activity-specific actions which make

up the ‘Working Action Plan’ in Chapter 13.

of 106

NO. THEME/ACTIVITY OVERARCHING ACTION RELATED SPECIFIC ACTIONS

DELIVERY PARTNERS TIMESCALE

A - MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES

1 Management Structures

Establish a 'Sperrins Partnership' (seek funding and support) responsible for a Sperrins wide approach to the management, development and promotion of the AONB

A1, A6 Local Councils, Central Government departments incl. NIEA, LPSs x2

Yrs 1-5

2 Management Structures Appoint a dedicated Sperrins AONB Officer to develop an AONB management plan A2 Sperrins Gateway LPS, NIEA, Local

Councils Yrs 1-5

B - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

3 Access Lobby for a shared approach towards current access legislation A3-A5, B34 Local Council and Central Government

departments including NIEA and Sport NI, ORNI, NGBs

Ongoing

4 Access Develop, support and promote strategic access development whereby existing outdoor recreation activities and products are consolidated, linked and sustainably enhanced by new product and/or infrastructure

B2, B6, B15, B17, B27, B28 Landowners, Local Councils, Community Associations, NGBs, ORNI, LPSs, River

Trusts Ongoing

5 Access Investigate the potential of forests within the Sperrins to provide new and improved outdoor recreation and tourism product in particular Drum Manor, Derrynoyd, Gortin, Creggan, Moydamlaght, Iniscarn and Learmount.

B4, B22-B24, B27-B29, B32, B44, B47, B48, B50

Local Councils, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1-5

6 Access Develop access to and along rivers to the benefit of walkers, canoeists and anglers B33, B43, B45 Local Councils, Community Associations, Rivers Agency, Loughs Agency, CANI,

UAF, Activity Clubs, ORNI Yrs 1-10

7 Access Investigate, identify, develop and/or extend community path networks linking communities and green space

B2, B3, B16, B17, B46 Landowners, Local Councils, Local

Community Associations, DRD Roads Service, ORNI, River Trusts

Ongoing

8 Access Promote the development of disabled access and facilities B1 Landowners, Local Councils, Disability Sport NI, Loughs Agency, Community

Associations Ongoing

9 Angling Support the development of angling as a leisure and visitor activity through infrastructure development, organising and promoting events and supporting existing and new management structures

B4-B8, Local Councils, Loughs Agency, DCAL,

Rivers Agency, NITB, Community Associations, UAF, Angling Clubs

Ongoing

10 Camping & Caravanning Develop camping-style accommodation across the Sperrins either by developing new facilities or upgrading existing potential buildings, e.g. Mountain bothy's, camping pods, bunkhouses, Aires De Services, etc.

B9-B11 Landowners, Local Councils, Private

Sector, ORNI, Community Associations Yrs 1-5

11 Canoeing Develop and promote canoeing in the Sperrins, working in partnership with CANI B12-B15 CANI, ORNI, Rivers Agency, Canoe Clubs, Loughs Agency, Community Associations

Yrs 1-5

of 106

NO. THEME/ACTIVITY OVERARCHING ACTION RELATED SPECIFIC ACTIONS

DELIVERY PARTNERS TIMESCALE

12 Cycling Develop, promote and raise the profile of cycling (on- and off-road) in the Sperrins as a leisure and tourist activity through improving the existing product, developing new routes and organising national and regional events

B2, B3, B16-B21 Local Councils, ORNI, NGBs, Community

Associations, Cycling Clubs, NITB Yrs 1-10

13 Hubs

Create, promote and focus development within identified outdoor recreation 'hubs' where there is a cluster of activities and visitor services to cater for locals and visitors - Glenelly Valley / Gortin Glen / An Creagan and Lough Macrory / An Carn, Dungiven, Banagher, Moneyneena and Draperstown / Lough Fea, Davagh and Broughderg / Learmount, Park and Claudy / Mourne and Derg Valleys

B45-B51 ORNI, NGBs, Landowners, Community


14 Mountain Biking Develop mountain biking to complement the MountainBikeNI.com product through creation of new trail centres, formalising existing trails, creating strategic links and promoting events

B2, B22-B26 Local Councils, ORNI, FSNI, NIMBA, Local

Clubs Yrs 1-10

15 Orienteering Improve the level of orienteering provision through the development of new sites and maps and upgrading existing sites and maps

B27-B30 Landowners, NIOA, Local Councils, NITB Yrs 1-5

16 Visitor Services/Facilities Increase and develop the provision, quality and promotion of supporting visitor services and/or facilities in the Sperrins

B9-B11, B52-B56, C4 Landowners, Private Sector, Local Councils, Community Associations

Ongoing

17 Walking Develop and promote walking in the Sperrins by creating new walks, linking existing walks, creating strategic cross-country links between hubs and hosting events

B2, B31-B44 Landowners, Local Councils, ORNI,

Community Associations, NGB's, Local Clubs, LPSs

Ongoing

C - MARKETING & PROMOTION

18 Marketing & Promotion Review and develop signage which is sustainably designed, appropriately placed, fit-for-purpose (e.g. for driving or walking) and builds on a common 'Sperrins destination brand' which fits with and complements recommendations made by the Tourist Destination Management Plan

C5, C10, C11 Landowners, Local Councils, DRD Roads

Service, Loughs Agency, LPSs Yrs 1-5

19 Marketing & Promotion

Develop a Marketing Plan for the region which better promotes the existing product and raises the profile of the Sperrins/Tyrone and Sperrins as a short-break activity destination involving participation in road shows and trade events, and developing a web-based portal and/or 'Sperrins App'

C1 - C11 Local Councils, NITB, Private Sector,

Community Associations, LPSs, Community Associations

Yrs 1-5, Ongoing

20 Marketing & Promotion Host and promote the development of more events B5, B25 Local Councils, Private Sector, Community

Associations, NGBs, LPSs Ongoing

21 Marketing & Promotion

Creating a strong destination brand for the Sperrins and increasing visitor welcome

B9-B11, C11 Local Councils, NITB, ORNI Ongoing

Table 7 Strategic Action Plan

of 106

12. ISSUES AND BARRIERS

of 106

This chapter outlines and discusses the principle issues and/or barriers at a local, regional and

national level which have the potential to impact on the future development and management of

outdoor recreation and tourism in the Sperrins.

The main issues can be summarised as follows:

National

- 1983 Access Legislation

- DARD funding structures

- Funding

Regional

- No one co-ordinating Management Body for the Sperrins

- No AONB Officer or Management Plan

- RPA

- Lack of ‘Destination’ vision, branding and marketing

- Two Councils without dedicated Access Officers

- Wind farm development

Local

- Access to private land

- Industry partnership working

- Community buy-in for tourism

The most prominent issue in the Sperrins is the absence of ONE CO-ORDINATING

MANAGEMENT BODY with buy-in at a central and local government level and who is responsible

for the development, management or promotion of the Sperrins region as a whole. Up until its

closure in 2012, Sperrins Tourism Ltd (STL) was the only regional body responsible for the

marketing, training and development of the tourism industry in the Sperrins.

The lack of a co-ordinating, regional partnership in the Sperrins has inherently resulted in a silo

approach to the development of outdoor recreation. Without the creation of a partnership this is

likely to continue until at least 2015 when the merging of Councils through RPA will reduce the

number of differing agendas and approaches from seven to four.

This Action Plan recommends that an AONB OFFICER is appointed with statutory buy-in at a

central and local government level. The Officer’s role will be to develop an AONB Management

Plan. The Action Plan also recommends that a ‘Sperrins Partnership’ Management Body, with an

appropriate staffing structure similar to the ‘Belfast Hills Partnership’ and/or ‘Strangford and Lecale

Partnership’ is also established in the next five years. Without both these management structures in

place protection of the AONB and the development of outdoor recreation and tourism will remain

devoid of a central driving force or accountability.

RPA could also be seen as a barrier to outdoor recreation and tourism development. Although the

merging process should create a more joined up, local government landscape, it still remains that

seven different council agendas will become four different council agendas governing the

management and development of the Sperrins region. With RPA will also come the re-prioritising of

of 106

budgets and priorities and therefore some development plans may be lost or re-prioritised in the

process.

Neither Strabane nor Omagh District Council have DEDICATED ACCESS OFFICERS which will

ultimately impact how each Council focuses on access and countryside recreation. The lack of an

Access Officer may mean there is less of a focused approach within Council and that resources may

be allocated elsewhere.

Although ‘Tyrone and the Sperrins’ is one of NITB’s nine destinations, it is arguably the LEAST

RECOGNISED AND/OR PROMOTED. This may be for a number of reasons including the absence

of a regional tourism strategy. Except for the AONB signage, the Sperrins is devoid of a common

brand or style to which tourism products, packages and providers (activity and accommodation) can

align their marketing to. The Sperrins is not recognised as a ‘short-break’ destination neither despite

the good provision of outdoor activities and private sector providers. This is exacerbated by the

negative perception some visitors may have that the Sperrins are ‘less pretty’ than other

mountainous areas, and there is higher political unrest in some of the towns. Without a tourism

strategy for the region which has buy-in from all Councils there will be no common vision which all

stakeholders can work towards to create a ‘signature’ destination with ‘stand-out’ experiences.

At the time of writing this report a final ‘Tyrone and Sperrins Tourism Destination Management

Plan’ (TDMP) had been drafted which set out targets to achieve over the next five year period, 2013

– 2018, which represents a positive step forward in addressing the barrier outlined above. The issue

with this Plan is that it only covers a small proportion of the Sperrins, that is, the south and eastern

areas and does not include Magherafelt and Limavady Council areas.

The availability of FUNDING, in terms of source, financial amount requested and securing match-

funding, is a common issue affecting the development of outdoor recreation and tourism products

across Northern Ireland. Depending on the nature and scope of projects and the priorities of

prospective funders, some development may or may not proceed.

WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT is a major issue particularly affecting the Sperrins. Wind farm

development can have a negative impact on both the scenic landscape view and also access to private

land. Currently there are several cases of opposition to wind farm development because of these

reasons, e.g. at Lisnaharney and Robber’s Table. The impact of wind farms on the scenic landscape is

a subjective matter; however it is proven that wind farms can lead to the closing or termination of

PRoW and/or permissive path agreements which has obvious impacts on outdoor recreation. In

terms of future development, wind farms can have a negative impact on the creation of new

trails/routes for walking in that private landowners/farmers who are initially agreeable to creating

access are discouraged because of the impact this may have on any future wind farm developments

plans he/she may have.

Creating ACCESS TO PRIVATE LAND in the countryside is another issue which has long affected

the development of access for outdoor recreation, especially in the hills and uplands. The greatest

barrier preventing landowners agreeing to new access is the issue of INSURANCE AND PUBLIC

LIABILITY. This will inevitably influence the creation of new access in the uplands therefore it is

recommended that priority is given to negotiating permissive access on agreed or ‘non-contentious’

routes.

At a strategic level the Northern Ireland 1983 ACCESS LEGISLATION is the greatest barrier to

creating new access because it is seen by the Councils to be unworkable. Creating new formal

access is typically via the assertion of PROW or permissive path agreements which there is a

considerable lack of in the Sperrins. In addition to this there are seven council areas encompassed

of 106

by the Sperrins meaning there are seven different approaches/interpretations of that legislation.

Without a stronger, joined-up approach towards access the future development of trails, paths and

routes is likely to suffer. Going forward more use could be made of agreements made under ‘open

country’ land representing an alternative form of formal access on private land.

Creating access on private land is also influenced by the existence of reward incentives. For

example a farmer’s Single Farm Payment (SFP) is reduced when agricultural land is set aside for

access yet DARD is incentivising access creation through its RDP rural tourism funding programme.

One way of tackling this issue will be to engage in DARD’s consultation for the next six years of

RDP.

At a local level getting COMMUNITY BUY-IN for tourism and outdoor recreation development is

important. If the community or local business do not support the creation of new walking or cycling

trails for tourism and welcome visitors to the area it is unlikely that tourism will flourish in the

Sperrins and bring the much-need economic boost to the small local towns and villages.

of 106

13. ACTION PLAN

of 106

‘Working’ Action Plan

CODE SITE/TRAIL/AREA ACTION DELIVERY PARTNERS TIMESCALE CURRENT

STATUS*

A. MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES

A1 Sperrins-wide Establish a 'Sperrins Partnership' like the Mourne Heritage Trust to be responsible for a

Sperrins wide approach to the management, protection and development of the AONB Central and Local Government Departments Yrs 1-5

A2 Sperrins-wide Appoint a dedicated Sperrins AONB Officer and develop an AONB management plan Sperrins Gateway LPS, Sport NI, NIEA, Local

Councils Yrs 1-5 Underway

A3 Sperrins-wide Encourage a joined, up, shared approach to access interpretation and private land negotiations Landowners, Local Councils, Community

Associations, ORNI Ongoing

A4 Sperrins-wide Adopt a bottom up approach to walking development - work with the local community to

identify routes, engage and negotiate with private landowners

Landowners, Local Councils, Community


A5 Sperrins-wide Participate in the RDP consultation process with DARD regarding RDP and SFP structures Sperrins Gateway LPS, Local Councils Yrs 1-5 Planned

A6 Sperrins-wide Appoint a dedicated Outdoor Recreation Development Officer for the Sperrins region Central and Local Government Departments Yrs 1-10

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - ACCESS

B1 Sperrins-wide Promote consultation with Disability Sport NI, groups and clubs in the planning stages of new

product development Dependent on project and lead partner Ongoing

B2 Sperrins-wide Investigate and develop a long-distance, cross country trail through the Sperrins and linking

different trail centres, similar to the West Highland Way (shared use) Landowners, Local Councils Yrs 1-10

B3 Sperrins-wide Investigate, identify, develop and/or extend safe cycle- and walk-ways which connect

communities and green space

Local Councils, DRD Roads Service, Community

Associations Yrs 1-10

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT – ANGLING

B4 River Faughan - Learmount Forest Where appropriate develop fishing access to River Faughan at Learmount Forest Learmount Community Association, Loughs

Agency Yrs 1-5 Underway

B5 Lough Macrory/Moor Lough Support the development of angling facilities and events

Loughmacrory Community Development

Association (Lough Macrory only), Loughs Agency,

Local Councils, 3 Rivers Canoe Club (Moor Lough

only)

Yrs 1-5 Underway

B6 Rivers Develop access along rivers with benefits shared between canoeists, anglers and walkers


Associations, Loughs Agency, Rivers Agency,

Landscape Partnership Schemes (LPS), Clubs

Yrs 1-10

B7 Sperrins-wide Promote and support the development of existing angling clubs and new 'River Trusts' to take

responsibility of angling on water courses

Landowners, Loughs Agency, Community

Associations, Clubs, Users Ongoing

B8 Sperrins-wide Support local communities, angling clubs and the private sector to adopt and manage public

water sites for angling development

Loughs Agency, DCAL, NI Water, Local Councils,

Community Associations, Local Clubs Ongoing

A. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - CAMPING

B9 Sperrins-wide Upgrade existing camping and caravanning sites Local Councils, FSNI, Private Sector Yrs 1-10

B10 Sperrins-wide Identify and develop, where appropriate, formal camping facilities such as camping pods, bothy's

and rough camping sites similar to Barnes Gap


Associations, ORNI Yrs 1-10

B11 Doraville Investigate the potential for this site to become a 'mountain bothy' Private Landowner, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Planned

of 106


STATUS*

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT – CANOEING

B12 Owenkillew River Improve canoe access / install canoe steps Local Angling Club, CANI, ORNI Yrs 1-5

B13 River Faughan (Park Bridge - Claudy

Bridge) Improve canoe access to River Faughan at Park Bridge to Claudy Bridge

Learmount Community Association, Honourable

Irish Society, River Faughan Anglers Yrs 1-5 Planned

B14 Altnaheglish Reservoir Investigate the potential of canoeing on the Reservoir NI Water, CANI, Private Sector Yrs 1-10

B15 Lough Macrory / Moor Lough Support the development of a new canoe club at Lough Macrory and Moor Lough LDCA, CANI, Omagh District Council, 3 Rivers

Canoe Club (Moor Lough only) Yrs 1-5 Underway

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - CYCLING

B16 Omagh-Strabane Lobby for safe cycle lanes on new A5 between Omagh, Strabane and Newtownstewart Omagh DC, Strabane DC, DRD Roads Service,

Community Associations, Sustrans Ongoing

B17 Gortin-Gortnagarn Bridge Extend the existing cycle lane (Omagh-Gortnagarn Bridge) to Gortin Glen Forest creating a

better link between the village and forest Omagh DC, DRD Roads Service Yrs 1-10

B18 Sperrins-wide Develop a 'Ring of Sperrins' cycle trail for cycle touring Local Councils Yrs 1-10

B19 Glenelly Valley Investigate, develop and promote a series of 'Glenelly Valley' cycle routes Yrs 1-10

B20 Sperrins-wide Organise and promote a 'Sperrins Sportive' Yrs 1-10

B21 Sperrins-wide (Villages and Towns) Develop village skate parks, skills loops, jumps zone, BMX and/or pump tracks where

appropriate and where a need has been identified


Associations Yrs 1-10

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - MOUNTAIN BIKING

B22 Gortin Glen Forest Park Develop a national trail centre with x-country trails, downhill trails, a pump track and skills loop

where appropriate Omagh DC, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Planned

B23 Davagh Forest Extend mountain bike trails Cookstown DC, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Planned

B24 Garvagh Forest Develop regional trail centre with formal trails Coleraine BC, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Underway

B25 Sperrins-wide Once developed promote forests as venues to host local, regional and national mountain bike

championship events ORNI, Private Sector Ongoing Planned

B26 Sperrins-wide Investigate and develop, where appropriate, a x-country 'epic ride' linking trail centres at Gortin

Glen, Davagh and Garvagh Landowners, Local Councils, ORNI Ongoing

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT – ORIENTEERING

B27 Gortin Glen Forest Park Update orienteering map Omagh DC, NI Orienteering Association (NIOA) Yrs 1-5 Planned

B28 Garvagh Forest Re-map the forest and produce an up-to-date map NIOA Yrs 1-5

B29 Carntogher / Davagh Forest / Goles

Forest / Baronscourt Forest Investigate the potential of these sites and where appropriate produce orienteering maps

NIOA, An Carn, Cookstown DC, Strabane DC,

FSNI Yrs 1-5 Planned

B30 Sperrins-wide Support the production of up-to-date orienteering maps NIOA Ongoing

of 106


STATUS*

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - WALKING

B31 Gortin Burn Formalise pathway (reinstate permissive path) linking the Village to the Lakes Private Landowner, Omagh DC, ORNI, Gortin

Community, Yrs 1-5 Planned

B32 Glenlark Forest Formalise pathway linking Glenlark Forest with Lough Lark Omagh DC, Premier Woodlands Yrs 1-10

B33 Gortin - Owenkillew River Develop walk linking from Gortin Village to Owenkillew River Omagh DC, Gortin Community Yrs 1-5

B34 Sperrins-wide/Uplands Identify, investigate and develop non-contentious walking routes in the uplands by engaging with

private landowners



B35 Crockmore-Crockback Develop and promote formal walking on Crockmore-Crockback Sperrins Gateway LPS, Magherafelt DC, ORNI Yrs 1-10

B36 Sperrins-wide Identify and develop spurs and loop routes off the Ulster Way through the Sperrins Local Councils, Community Associations, ORNI Ongoing

B37 Dungiven and Draperstown Develop and where appropriate promote Dungiven and Draperstown as ' trail centres' with

access to the Sperrins for walking and cycling Limavady BC, Magherafelt DC, SGLPS & Others Yrs 1-10

B38 Sperrins-wide/Foothills Develop more low-level, non-challenging walks geared towards the family market Landowners, Local Councils, Community


B39 Sperrins-wide Increase the number of quality walks, prioritising walks identified by the 'Sperrins Walking

Audit'

Landowners, Local Councils, Sperrins Gateway

LPS, ORNI Ongoing Planned

B40 Sperrins-wide / Draperstown-

Dungiven

Review the Ulster Way through the Sperrins and consider re-routing, especially between

Draperstown-Dungiven increasing off-road provision and taking account of accommodation

providers, stop-over points, attractions, etc.

Landowners, Sperrins Gateway LPS, Magherafelt

DC, ORNI, NIEA Ongoing Planned

B41 Glenelly Valley Develop a walk in Glenelly Valley incorporating Goles Forest, Cranagh and Plumbridge Landowners, Strabane DC Yrs 1-10 Underway

B42 Lough Macrory Link and extend existing quality walk at Lough Macrory to new paths at Lough Fingrean and

Lough Carn LCDA, NI Water, ORNI Yrs 1-5

B43 Sperrins-wide Focus development on more riverside and valley walks, circular and linear Local Councils, Community Associations, Sperrins

Gateway LPS, ORNI Ongoing

B44 Gortin Glen Forest Park Improve the walking trails Omagh DC, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Planned

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - HUBS

B45 Glenelly Valley Develop access to the Glenelly River for canoeing, fishing and walking Landowners, Strabane DC, Loughs Agency,

Community Associations, Local Clubs, CANI, UAF Yrs 1-10

B46 An Carn, Dungiven, Banagher and

Moneynenagh Develop informal walking routes which link different sites and villages

Landowners, Magherafelt DC, Limavady BC,

Community Associations Ongoing

B47 Banagher Glen Improve access and facilities at Banagher Glen Limavady BC, FSNI, NI Water Yrs 1-10

B48 Drum Manor Forest Upgrade multi-use trail system to include all-ability trails Cookstown DC, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Planned

B49 Glenelly Valley / Mourne and Derg

Valleys Enhance access to and enjoyment of Glenelly, Mourne and Derg Valleys

Strabane DC, Community Associations, NGBs,

Local Clubs, Users Ongoing

B50 Gortin Glen Develop and promote this area around the Forest Park, Village and Lakes as a 'hub' for activity

tourism and outdoor recreation Omagh DC, FSNI, Gortin Community, ORNI Ongoing Planned

B51 An Creagan - Loughmacrory Link An Creagan with Loughmacrory through a walking/cycling trail Landowners, LCDA, An Creagan Community,

ORNI Yrs 1-10

B52 Lough Fea, Davagh and Broughderg Continue to enhance and develop access, recreation and supporting facilities Landowners, Local Councils, Broughderg Area

Community Association, Clubs, Users Yrs 1-10

of 106


STATUS*

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - SERVICES & FACILITIES

B53 Sperrins Heritage Centre (within

Glenelly Valley)

Consider the viability of the Sperrins Heritage Centre as a TIC with seasonal opening hours or

a visitor meeting point Strabane DC, Community Associations Ongoing

B54 Sperrins-wide Further investigate and where appropriate promote local community centres/halls with

supporting facilities for walking and biking visitors Community Associations & Others Ongoing

B55 Abandoned/Closed Buildings Investigate the potential of closed/abandoned buildings to be re-purposed and re-opened to

service the local community and/or visitors, e.g. Derrynoid Centre

Local Councils, Workspace Enterprise Ltd.

(Derrynoid House only) Ongoing

B56 Community Centres Support the development of visitor services and facilities for walkers and bikers (cycles and

motorbikes) Community Associations & Others Yrs 1-5

C. MARKETING & PROMOTION

C1 Sperrins-wide Organise and conduct a series of 'industry workshops' with local private sector providers to

increase awareness of activity tourism market and outdoor recreation product ORNI, Private sector Yrs 1-10

C2 Sperrins-wide Create 'packaged experiences' based on the existing outdoor recreation product to appeal to

visitors, e.g. Walking and Cycling Breaks ORNI, NITB, Private Sector Yrs 1-10 Planned

C3 Sperrins-wide

Better promote the existing assets and sites, e.g. 12 cycle routes, quality walks, Loughmacrory,

Springhill Estate, Banagher Glen, An Carn, An Creagan, Claudy Country Park, Learmount

Forest, Grange Court Newtownstewart, Gortin Outdoor Activity Centre, etc

Local Councils Ongoing

C4 Sperrins-wide Better promote walker and biker friendly accommodation ORNI, NITB Ongoing

C5 Sperrins-wide

Organise and conduct a series of 'awareness-raising' sessions with local communities about the

benefits of leisure activities and activity tourism - encourage community buy-in / raise

awareness about attractions in their area and things to see and do

ORNI, NITB, Community Associations, Private

Sector Yrs 1-10

C6 Sperrins-wide Better promote the existing NCN network and 'Sperrins Cycle Routes' Ongoing

C7 Sperrins-wide Improve the appeal of the Sperrins as both a 'short-break' and 'family' destination NITB, Private Sector, NITB Ongoing

C8 Sperrins-wide Develop and/or support the development of a 'one-stop shop' website or 'app' with details of

all outdoor recreation available Yrs 1-10

C9 Sperrins-wide

Develop a 'Sperrin Mountains - A Walkers Guide' to showcase the best walking in the Sperrins

(include a variety of graded walks, distances and itineraries sensibly planned around

accommodation)

ORNI, NITB, Local Councils Yrs 1-10 Planned

C10 Sperrins-wide Improve signage from the road to walking trails and archaeological sites DRD Roads Service, Local Councils, NIEA Yrs 1-10

C11 Signage Improve the overall visitor welcome to the Sperrins region Local Councils, DRD Roads Service, NITB Yrs 1-5

Table 8 Working Action Plan

of 106

14. CONCLUSIONS

of 106

This concluding chapter summarises the main findings of this study, outlines the priorities for

development and how the Action Plan should be taken forward.

To recap, the purpose of this study was to audit the current outdoor recreation provision and

prepare a framework for the sustainable development, management and promotion of future

facilities and opportunities over the next 5-10 years.

In terms of current provision this study found that the outdoor recreation and access is being

developed and managed by four main groups:

- Local councils

- Landscape partnership schemes

- Community associations, and

- Outdoor activity providers.

The pattern of outdoor recreation is composed of sites or defined areas, trails which span the

Sperrins region and ‘activity hubs’ which encompass a cluster of activities, provide supporting visitor

services and allow the running of events. Access to all of the above is a mix of permissive paths,

Public Rights of Way, open access to public land, controlled access to private land and de-facto

access particularly in the uplands.

The most popular activities currently engaged in are: walking, cycling, and mountain biking, angling

and canoeing. The activities are also the priority areas for growth, as well as the development of

‘activity hubs’, visitor services and facilities, management structure and marketing and promotion.

Although there is a lack of formal product to support a strong tourism industry there is an

abundance of informal activities taking place, especially with regard to walking and mountain biking.

In other words there are significant opportunities for development being missed.

The main issues include:

- Lack of AONB Management Body, Management Plan or AONB Officer

- Weak access legislation

- Silo approach to outdoor recreation

- Lack of destination marking and promotion

As a result of the issues and opportunities that were identified two Action Plans were developed.

The first Action Plan of 21 recommendations is designed to act as an over-arching framework for

the integrated development of outdoor recreation. This is followed by a second a ‘Working Action

Plan’ of 72 site- and activity- specific recommendations designed to be updated and revised as

projects are delivered.

Going forward however the most critical issue to address is the lack of an appropriate management

structure for the whole region. For the Sperrins to fulfil its potential as a stand-out destination

comparable to the Causeway and Glens and Mourne Mountains, there needs to be one co-ordinating

body with responsibility for the management, development and promotion of the AONB, e.g. a

‘Sperrins Partnership’ that has statutory buy-in from central and local government.

of 106

15. BIBLIOGRAPHY

of 106

Reports & Strategies

- Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism Partnership (2012) Tourism Area Plan 2012-2017 ‘Growing

Tourism Together’

- Moyle District Council (2011) Tourism Development Handbook.

- NITB and FSNI (2012) Assessment of the Existing and Potential Tourism Development

Opportunities Available from Northern Ireland Forests. KPMG.

- NITB (2010) A Draft Tourism Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2020.

- NITB (2013) Creating Experiences: A Toolkit for the NI Tourism Industry

- NITB (2012) Northern Ireland Tourism Priorities for Growth

- NI Water (2012) Access and Recreation Policy

- Sport NI (2013) Our Great Outdoors – The Draft Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for

Northern Ireland

- Omagh District Council (2011) Your Area, Your Council, Your Plan – Corporate Plan 2011-

2015.

- FSNI (2009) A Strategy to Develop the Recreational and Social Use of Our Forests’.

Websites

- www.walkni.com

- www.cycleni.com

- www.canoeni.com

- www.sperrinsgateway.com/

- www.loughs-agency.org/

of 106

16. APPENDIX

of 106

16.1. Project Consultees ORGANISATION CATEGORY

Coleraine Borough Council Local Council

Cookstown District Council Local Council

Derry City Council Local Council

Limavady Borough Council Local Council

Magherafelt District Council Local Council

Omagh District Council Local Council

Strabane District Council Local Council

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) Public/Statutory Agency

Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Public/Statutory Agency

Disability Sport NI Public/Statutory Agency

Faughan Valley LPS Public/Statutory Agency

Forest Service Northern Ireland (FSNI) Public/Statutory Agency

Loughs Agency Public/Statutory Agency

National Trust Public/Statutory Agency

NI Water Public/Statutory Agency

Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Public/Statutory Agency

Rural Area Partnership in Derry (RAPiD) Public/Statutory Agency

Sperrins Gateway LPS Public/Statutory Agency

Ulster Wildlife Trust (UWT) Public/Statutory Agency

Woodland Trust Public/Statutory Agency

British Horse Society (BHS) Governing Body

Canoe Association of Northern Ireland (CANI) Governing Body

Mountaineering Ireland Governing Body

Northern Ireland Mountain Biking Association (NIMBA) Governing Body

Rowing Ireland Governing Body

Ulster Angling Federation (UAF) Governing Body

Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs (UFRC) Governing Body

Ulster Flying Club Governing Body

Ulster Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club Governing Body

Ulster Rural Riders’ Association (URRA) Governing Body

About Ulster Activity Provider

Action Extreme NI Activity Provider

Adventure Sports Northwest Activity Provider

Adventure Tours NI Activity Provider

An Carn Community/Activity Provider

An Creagan Community/Activity Provider

Broughderg Area Community Association Community/Activity Provider

Carrowmena Activity Centre Activity Provider

Far and Wild Activity Provider

Hunter West Shooting School Activity Provider

Natural High NW Activity Provider

Walking and Countryside Tours Activity Provider

Wild Geese Parachute Club Activity Provider

Xplore Outdoors Activity Provider

Baronscourt Estate Private

Lissan House Estate Private

Derry City Rowing Club Club

of 106

16.2. Consultation Questionnaire

SPERRINS OUTDOOR RECREATION ACTION PLAN 2013

ACTIVITY PROVIDER QUESTIONNAIRE

Activity Provider: __________________________________ Date: __________________

IMPORTANT: To select a box, right click on the box, select ‘Properties’ and choose

‘Checked’

1. What outdoor recreation activities do you provide?

Land-Based Water-Based Air-Based

Archery Angling - Coarse Model Flying

Adventure Racing Angling – Game Gliding

Boot camps Boat cruises Hang Gliding

Bushcraft Canoeing Paragliding

Clay pigeon shooting Kayaking Micro light

Climbing Slalom Sky diving

Fell-running SUP Parachuting

Cycling – On road Rowing

Cycling – Mountain biking Sailing

High Ropes/Ziplines Water skiing/Wakeboarding

Horse riding Hovercrafting

Mountain Boarding

Mountaineering

Orienteering

Segway Other Please specify: ___________________

Walking/Rambling Zorbing

of 106

2. Are your activities:

Site Based – Go to Q4 Mobile – Go to Q 3 Both – Go to Q 3

3. What areas/sites do you use? And for what activities?

Site/Area: _E.g. Davagh Forest______________________________________________ ___

Activity(s):_Mountain Biking____________________________________________________

Permit/License/Permission required: Yes No

Site/Area:___________________________________________________________________

Activity(s):__________________________________________________________________


Site/Area:___________________________________________________________________

Activity(s):__________________________________________________________________


Site/Area:

______________________________________________________________________ ___

Activity(s):__________________________________________________________________


Site/Area: ______________________________________________________________ ___

Activity(s):_________________________________________________________________


Site/Area: _______________________________________________________________ ___

Activity(s):__________________________________________________________________


of 106

4. In your opinion, what are the opportunities for development? Please give details of

specific activities and or specific areas/sites you think have potential to enhance the

activity offering in the Sperrins.

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

5. In your opinion, what are the barriers or issues which may affect the growth of

outdoor recreation or the activities mentioned above?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

6. Can we contact you to discuss this questionnaire further? Yes No

If Yes, please provide: Contact Name:

___________________________________________

Telephone No:

___________________________________________

Email:

__________________________________________________

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COMPLETE THIS

SURVEY

OutdoorNI.com │WalkNI.com │ MountainbikeNI.com │CycleNI.com │CanoeNI.com │ BeachNI.com

of 106

16.3. Consultation Poster

of 106

16.4. Environmentally Designated Sites

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGNATIONS LCA’s AONB ASSI’s SAC’s NNR’s Ramsar Sites Beaghmore Moors and Marsh

Sperrin AONB Aghabrack Ballynahone Bog Ballynahone Bog NNR Ballynahone bog

Bessy Bell and Gortin Ballymacallion Banagher Glen Banagher Glen Extension

Black bog

Binevenagh Ballynahone Bog Black Bog Banagher Glen NR Fairy water bogs

Camowen Valley Banagher Glen Carn – Glenshane Pass Boorin NR

Carrickmore Hills Baronscourt Fairy Water Bogs Claraghmore

Cookstown Farmlands Black Bog Owenkillew River Murrins Forest NNR

Derg Valley Bonds Glen River Faughan and Tributaries

Foyle Valley Butterlope Glen River Foyle and Tributaries

Garvagh Farmland Carn/Glenshane Pass River Roe and Tributaries

Glenelly Valley Cashel Rock Teal Lough

Glenshane Slopes Castle River Valley Tully Bog

Lough Bradan Corbylin Wood Upper Ballinderry River

Magherafelt Farmland Crockaghole Wood

Omagh Farmland Drumlea and Mullan Woods

Roe Basin Errigal Glen

Slieve Gallion Fairy Water Bogs

South Sperrin Kirlish

Sperrin Foothills Lisnaragh

Sperrin Mountains Lough Doo

Upper Moyola Valley Lough Macrory

Mountfield Quarry

Mullaghcarn

Murrins

Owenkillew and Glenelly

of 106

Woods

Owenkillew River

River Faughan and Tributaries

River Foyle and Tributaries

River Roe and Tributaries

Silverbrook Wood

Smulgedon

Strabane Glen

Teal Lough and Slaghtfreeden Bogs

Teal Lough Part II

Tully Bog

Upper Ballinderry River

of 106

INSPIRING OUTDOOR RECREATION

Outdoor Recreation NI is supported by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the

Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Sport NI, Inland Waterways of the Department of Culture,

Arts and Leisure and the Department of Social Development

An Outdoor Recreation Action Plan The...

Documents

Transcript of An Outdoor Recreation Action Plan The...