The future of The Waterside - plans unveiled
04 Oct 2006
One of the largest single regeneration initiatives ever seen in Londonderry was launched today by Minister for Social Development David Hanson MP.
The Minister announced regeneration masterplans for the development of three sites, covering some 150 acres, in the Waterside area of the city.
They have been prepared by the Department for Social Development (DSD), the urban regeneration company, Ilex and Derry City Council.
DSD’s plan is for the former Ministry of Defence (MoD) lands at Clooney, now in the department’s ownership, while Ilex’s plans centre on the Ebrington site owned by OFMDFM and Derry City Council’s plans are for lands in its ownership at St Columb’s Park.
Making today’s announcement at St Columb’s Park Leisure Centre, Derry, Mr Hanson said: “We now have regeneration opportunities on an unprecedented scale in Derry. The masterplans for Clooney, Ebrington and St Columb’s Park collectively set out a framework for the creation of new purpose-built educational facilities, a ‘hub’ of sporting centres of excellence, high quality residential accommodation, leisure attractions and office space.
“My department has worked closely with Ilex and Derry City Council throughout the entire process of preparing these masterplans. We will continue to work side by side with the aim of delivering maximum regeneration, investment and employment opportunities, not just for the city but for the North West region as a whole.”
The aim of the masterplans is not only to physically connect the three sites, but also to make social connections among the local communities and those across the entire city.
The proposed linking of Ebrington to the current city centre by a new foot and cycle bridge would create an additional one million square feet of residential and commercial development space. The regeneration initiative at Ebrington has the potential to create up to 1,000 jobs.
New public access points into Ebrington and St Columb’s Park, along with a connecting footbridge to the Clooney site, will also create an accessible environment that can be enjoyed by all.
Mr Hanson continued: “The masterplans have required imagination and ambition. They present a series of regeneration concepts that will create landmark new developments, renew facilities, revitalise communities and offer new opportunities and a better quality of life for people across the city and beyond.
“Today marks the beginning of a new phase in the regeneration of Derry. The transformation of these sites will create exciting opportunities for the city and its people, making it a more attractive place in which to live, visit, work and invest.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Clooney:
It is proposed that Clooney will become a high quality educational campus housing new, purpose built facilities for Foyle and Londonderry College and Ebrington Primary School.
In December 2005 the Secretary of State announced that around £20million will be allocated from the Schools Capital Programme to facilitate the relocation of Foyle & Londonderry College and Ebrington Primary School onto the Clooney lands.
The Clooney plan also includes new sporting facilities to complement those proposed for St Columb’s Park and new residential accommodation.
2. Ebrington:
The development of Ebringtonwill extend the existing city centre by some 26 acres. This equates to approximately one million square feet of mixed use development.
It is proposed to link Ebrington to the existing city centre by a new foot and cycle bridge.
Ebrington would become a mixed use community where residential, commercial and retail space will sit alongside leisure, culture and tourism facilities.
3. St Columb’s Park:
Clooney and Ebrington would be linked by St Columb’s Park, an underused green space within the central area of the city. Derry City Council proposes to combine high performance centres of excellence for sport with leisure and social facilities creating an inclusive space for all age groups and sporting abilities to enjoy.
Derry City Council will undertake a consultation exercise on the outline vision for the park and its environs. Further research will inform plans for making best use of this public space.
4. PDFs of the Clooney masterplan and of the composite masterplan documents are available at www.dsdni.gov.uk
5. High resolution images of the Clooney, Ebrington and St Columb’s masterplans as well as a composite map and aerial perspective of the entire area can be accessed at www.dsdni.gov.uk
6. Media queries to Nicola Steele DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078 / 07879 842680