The river wear valley between Durham city and Chester le Street: the potential for an increase in visitor use

Abstract

The study considers the feasibility, desirability and potential means of promoting an increase in visitor use of the River Wear valley between Durham City and Chester-le- Street, both as a means of reducing visitor pressure on the historic centre of Durham City and of financially benefiting the local economy. An Environmental Assessment of the study area is undertaken, using recognised procedures, to ascertain whether it has the potential to attract an increase in visitor use and how this can be best achieved without sustaining damage to it's own environment. An assessment is also made of the potential of a larger geographical area, surrounding the study area, to provide the visitors needed for the increase. Specific potentially damaging consequences of increasing visitor use of a rural area are discussed. From this data, restrictions on the possible ways an increase in visitor use could be achieved are discussed, before an environmentally acceptable and sustainable proposal is . identified and considered in detail. The environmental impact of the proposal and it’s sustainability are then assessed. Finally, the potential benefits of the selected proposal are discussed and areas where further investigation and ongoing monitoring are necessary, identified.