Inform Newsletter Spring Summer 2015

13 14 OASIS Project Nears Completion TheOmaghAccessible Shared Inclusive Space (OASIS) project is nearing completion, and is scheduled to open at the end ofMarch. The £4.345million project, which has been funded under the EuropeanUnion’s PEACE III Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, will significantly improve the visual impact of theDrumraghAvenue car park by covering the existing spacewith an attractive landscaped area for public use, whilst retainingmost of the car parking space underneath. TheOASIS Plaza provides for social interaction, with outdoor gym and games installations, and facilities for entertainment and street markets, while a pedestrian and cycle bridge provides connectivity into the town centre viaOld Market Place. Connectivity to the RiversideWalk and Cycle path is also integrated into the development, and the relocation of the flood wall back from the river bank has created spacewhere the amenity of the River Strule can be enjoyed. TheOASIS project complements the other major capital projects across the town, which have been developed as part of the regeneration of Omaghwith a focus on reorienting the town towards the River Strule rather than away from it. Refurbishment of EnniskillenCastleMuseums InDecember 2014, exciting newplans for the refurbishment of EnniskillenCastle Museums were unveiled at a series of information sessions. The ambitious £3million project, which will see the creation of aworld class visitor centrewithin the historic grounds of EnniskillenCastle, received funding from theHeritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), the European Regional Development Fund, theNorthern Ireland Environment Agency and Fermanagh District Council. The refurbishment plans include a newvisitor centre, improved amenities and a café as well as tourism, genealogy and heritage services. Four new galleries will interpret Fermanagh’s rich heritage, enhancing the Castle as themain introduction and gateway attraction for the region. Conservation of the iconic buildings and integration of the newvisitor centrewill give new long-termsustainable uses to the EnniskillenCastleMuseums and enhance the region’s rich heritage and tourismoffering. During refurbishment, which has nowbegun and is due for completion in 2016, visitors will still be able to enjoy FermanaghCounty Museum’sMedieval Maguires display and The InniskillingsMuseum. Castle BasinWalkway toCastle Basin Promenade InAugust 2014, theDepartment for Social Development announced that fundingwould bemade available to develop the Castle Basin Promenade in Enniskillen. Work began in January of this year and is scheduled for completion in June 2015. The Castle Basin Promenadewill consist of newand improved high quality surfacing around thewater’s edge andwill also see the inclusion of an events space. The events spacewill be an attractively surfaced, accessible area andwill be a shared space for the local community to enjoy. The promenadewill provide an accessible route around part of the shoreline of the Island of Enniskillen andwill be a unique feature of Ireland’s only island town. The promenade will also be accessible to both cyclists and pedestrians, creating health benefits such as increased opportunities for cycling, jogging andwalking. The development of the promenade and the events space areawill also attract newand exciting events which will assist in the continued development of the region as awhole. This £1.9million project to create a fully accessible route for both cyclists and pedestrians to enjoymarks the first step in initiating the EnniskillenMaster Plan. 0300 303 1777 For information or to contact any of the council services use the newcouncil number listed above followus Formore news and events in the district you can followus on social media ourmission Leading & serving our community, workingwith others to promote quality of life, quality places and quality services for all Transfer of Planning Functions On 01April 2015, theDepartment of the Environment will transfer planning powers to the 11 newcouncils. This is an exciting time for both planning and local government andmarks themost significant change to the planning system in over 30 years. Fermanagh andOmaghDistrict Council’s planning powers will include: • Developing a local planwhichwill set out what the council area should look like and how land should be used and developed; • Making decisions on themajority of planning applications; and • Investigating alleged breaches of planning control and determiningwhat enforcement action should be taken. Planning officers from theDepartment of the Environment are transferring to the Council and from01April, will become Council employees. Theywill bringwith them their knowledge, skills and experience andwill help ensure that the transfer is a seamless process. One of the biggest benefits from these reforms will be putting the decision making in the hands of thosewith local knowledge. Local councillors know the local environment, local needs and views of local people and so are best placed tomake the decisions on howour area should growand develop. Theywill also be able to ensure that the needs of local businesses are taken into account which can help create jobs and growth in the local economy. Councils will not beworking alone however as the new local development plan process requires councils to consult with local communities. This gives businesses, communities, and local groups and organisations a real opportunity to have a say in shaping the look and feel of their local area. The PlanningOffices for the Fermanagh and OmaghDistrict Council will be located at County Buildings, Enniskillen andCounty Hall, Omagh. Enquiriesmay bemade to 0300 303 1777 or by email to planning@fermanaghomagh.com TheOmaghAccessibleShared InclusiveSpaceProject is fundedby theEU PEACE IIIProgramme through theSpecialEUProgrammesBody.