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Home , Killeter, Mull of Galloway Trail

Title of Report: Officer presenting:

Rural Development Head of Business Programme - International Author: Rural Development Programme Manager Appalachian Trail

1. Purpose of Report/Recommendations

1.1 To seek Members' approval for Council to act as lead partner for a joint Rural Co- operation project on the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) and feasibility study as part of the NI Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and to update Members on a recent IAT best practice visit to Scotland.

2. Background

2.1 Members may recall a paper presented in June 2016 in respect of future development of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) and approval to investigate funding opportunities, including through the Rural Development programme.

2.2 The International Appalachian Trail is a walking/hiking route based on the original Appalachian Mountains, which after continental drift, remnants ended up in eastern United States, eastern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the British Isles, Ireland, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. The route started in US and Canada and extended to Europe, with the IAT Ireland section formally launched in 2013. When expansion is complete, the IAT will be the largest trail network and one of the largest outdoor adventure brands in the world and is recognised as a key potential driver for rural economic development.

2.3 The Ireland chapter of the trail runs from west Donegal to Larne. The route largely follows the existing and takes in County Donegal as well as five council areas in (Derry City & District, Fermanagh & , Mid Ulster, Causeway Coast & Glens and Mid & East Antrim). Approximately 44 miles of the trail runs through the Derry City & Strabane District area as part of three defined sections - Glenties to Killeter (55km); Killeter to (58km); and Gortin to Moneyneany (37km). 2.4 Rural Co-operation is one of four themes of the Rural Development Programme being delivered by Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) considers Co-operation to be a priority activity for the 2014-2020 Programme with a requirement for at least two cross border projects. The interim strategy for Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership identified the International Appalachian Trail as potentially one of these two cross-border projects.

3. Key Issues

3.1 Derry and Strabane Rural Partnership has hosted six joint meetings with other Local Action Groups (LAGs) since March 2016 to progress a potential IAT project. All relevant LAGs (i.e. Donegal, Derry & Strabane, Fermanagh & Omagh, Mid Ulster, Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid & East Antrim) have approved in principle to progress an IAT project to the next stage in respect of a best practice visit to Scotland and feasibility study. District Council has been nominated by the other LAGs to act as lead partner.

3.2 The visit to Scotland took place on 19th-21st October 2016 and included 17 representatives from all of the above Council areas including 10 LAG board members (councillors and social partners), three RDP staff and four other officers with tourism, recreation or access remits. The group visited sections of the IAT in Scotland including the , and Trail - meeting representatives from Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, North Ayrshire Council, South Ayrshire Council, Council as well as Ayr and Rotary Clubs who have led on the development of their sections of the trail.

3.3. A key element of learning included the economic impact of the West Highland Way which is the most established of the IAT sections in Scotland. At 96 miles in length, running from Glasgow to Fort William and typically taking 5-6 days to walk - 35,000 people complete the route each year (50% of which are international visitors) with an estimated annual economic impact of £16 million. A total of 147 businesses directly benefit from the West Highland Way (e.g. accommodation and food), accounting for up to 80% of income for some of the rural businesses.

3.4 The next stage of the process will include the commissioning of a feasibility study to identify gaps and priorities in each area that could be addressed through a co- operation project (e.g. access, signposting, infrastructure, service provision, quality standards and promotion) while also identifying opportunities to grow business and create economic opportunities along the route.

4. Financial and Other Implications 4.1 The NI Rural Development Programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the European Union. A budget of £432,600 for Rural Co-operation has been identified in the approved interim strategy for Derry & Strabane Rural Partnership which will require up to 25% match funding.

5. Recommendations

5.1 To seek Members' approval for Council to act as lead partner on a joint Rural Co- operation project for the International Appalachian Trail (IAT) as part of the NI Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and to progress to feasibility study stage.