£4.5m regeneration project for Omagh town centre
The riverbank area of Omagh is set for a £4.5 million face lift after the ‘OASIS Project’ received the green light to proceed.
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has announced planning approval for the OASIS (Omagh Accessible Shared Inclusive Space) project that will transform Omagh town centre.
Planning for the project that has been in the pipeline for the past four years was passed by Omagh District Council at a committee meeting on Wednesday evening.
The European Unions Peace 111 funded project will open up a part of Omagh that was previously segregated and inaccessible. An interlinked walk and cycle trail will revitalise a large neutral space in to a cultural and social focal point within the town centre.
The project includes the construction of a new pedestrian bridge linked from Drumragh Avenue car park (beside the bus depot) to Old Market Place, a riverside walk, exercise areas, electronic information hub, artwork panels, games tables and fishing stands.
It will also include the development of covered performance and stage area and a neutral civic space able to accommodate markets, concerts and general recreational activities partially occupying lands at Drumragh Avenue car park.
Alex Attwood said, “This project will make a real difference to the lives of people in Omagh and the surrounding areas. It will revitalise the town centre – opening it up to create a vibrant cultural and social hub that will attract local artists and visitors.
“This coupled with my announcement of planning permission before Christmas for the former Scotts Mill factory site will be a positive boost for Omagh. Both projects will enhance the environment and aid the economy by providing increased opportunities that will be welcomed by shoppers, artists, traders and visitors.”
Omagh Town Councillor Sean Begley has welcomed the council support for the OASIS project, set to rejuvenate an area of Omagh Town centre.
He said, “This is a significant and timely investment into this area of Omagh Town. Although it has been in the planning for a number of years it is good to see the plan given the green light. As a council we voted on Wednesday night to give this project our full support and are anxious to see work commence on the project in the coming weeks and months.
“As well as linking Old Market place and the site of the Drumragh Car Park by a pedestrian bridge the site will also host exercise areas, games tables, fishing stands and an electronic information point. It will also include a covered area with a staged area, similar to a band stand facility. The site will also see a riverside cycle and walk area and will complement the ongoing riverside walk project linking areas such as the Derry road and Strathroy to the town centre.
“This is the first phase of transforming the town centre and riverside area which we are looking to further develop in the coming years.”
Source: ulsterherald.com
