ilex - Ilex unveils Regeneration plan

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2005 Press Releases

Ilex unveils Regeneration plan

13 Dec 2005

Urban regeneration company Ilex today unveiled its Regeneration Plan for Derry~Londonderry. The result of extensive research and consultation, the Plan proposes an agenda for action to ensure the economic, physical and social regeneration of the city over the coming years.

Speaking at the launch in Ebrington, Chairman of Ilex Eddie Friel said “In today’s global economy the unit of analysis of economic performance is the urban region. Cities have to compete for inward investment, office re-location, international students, residents and tourists. Capital will go where it receives the greatest return. The expansion of the European Union, the growing economies of Asia and the Pacific Rim puts enormous pressure on Derry~Londonderry to define its competitive advantage over other urban regions. The city needs to speak with one voice if it is to be heard in the clamour for attention”.

Project Director Peter Coyne presented the Regeneration Plan and outlined Ilex’s vision for the city. He cited the various plans and strategies of the city stakeholders which had gone into the development of the Plan and commented: “This Plan may be ambitious but it is also achievable. It builds on Derry’s existing economic and physical strengths and proposes ways in which they can be radically developed to create a world-class city operating a world-class economy”.

Ilex Chairman Eddie Friel emphasised the importance of partnership in re-shaping the city’s future: “Partnership is the key. Partnership between the public and private sectors, the local authority, the community and voluntary sector, employers, employees and the people of the city”.

Mr Friel went on to pay tribute to the key players in Derry’s regeneration and cautioned: “We will only succeed if we work together. We have a duty and responsibility to return this city to present and future generations as a place of which they can be proud. Every citizen must feel ownership of this process. Every Derry man and Derry woman should be concerned about the scale of the task ahead but be determined to succeed. Failure would condemn large sections of our community to poverty. That is not an option. The days when people apologised for this city are over. Now let’s get to work!”

Over the coming weeks Ilex will consult with a broad range of stakeholders in the public, private and community/voluntary sectors. Copies of the Regeneration Plan are available from Ilex and from the website
www.ilex-urc.com. The deadline for feedback to the Regeneration Plan is
3 February 2006.

For further information contact Mo Durkan, tel: 028 7126 9226 or 07917 544297.

EDITORS’ NOTES

Ilex was set up in 2003 by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and the Department for Social Development (DSD) to plan, develop and sustain the economic, physical and social regeneration of the Derry City Council area.

Ilex oversees former military bases Ebrington (26 acres) and Fort George (14 acres) and will convert both sites into world-class, multiple-use developments. Ebrington comprises 19th century star fortifications and multiple two- and three-storey buildings, some of which have been recommended for listing by the Environment & Heritage Service.