Ebrington site a ‘liability and an opportunity’: council chief
The chief executive of Derry’s council has described the Ebrington site in the Waterside area of the city as ‘a liability as well as an opportunity’ ahead of it coming under the council’s control next year.
John Kelpie (pictured) made the comments as the council approved the allocation of half of the £30,000 needed to undertake an ‘independent analysis’ of the site in order to ‘ensure an effective and sustainable transfer’.
The other £15,000 will be provided by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), which took over the temporary management of the site following the closure of the urban regeneration company Ilex at the end of last month.
The site will come under the control of Derry City and Strabane District Council in April next year.
The funding for the report was approved at meeting of the council’s Governance and Strategic Planning committee.
Mr Kelpie told the meeting that ahead of the transfer, there were a ‘number of key issue’s which must be ‘fully explored, considered and agreed to ensure that the transition is effective and provides for the sustainable development of this regionally significant asset.’
The meeting was told that the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) has been jointly approached to develop and advance as an independent source of guidance and advice to both the council and OFMDFM, which has responsibility for the SIB.
He added the independent analysis, and the recommendations it provided, would ensure ‘an effective and sustainable transfer of the Ebrington site to Council to maximise its development and regenerative potential’.
Speaking at the meeting, Sinn Fein’s Mickey Cooper said that he wanted to ‘put on record’ that his party was ‘very appreciative of the work done by Ilex,’ adding that the parade ground at Ebrington, and the events held on it during the City of Culture, had ‘absolutely transformed’ the reputation of the city.
However, he added that council taking over the site was a ‘no brainer’, as would give the council ‘maximum flexibility’ in terms of developing the site. The SDLP’s John Boyle asked what progress would be made on the site over the next 12 months while under the control of OFMDFM.
Responding, Mr Kelpie said while the council would work with OFMDFM over the next 12 months, council had no responsibility for the site, and would be involved in an ‘oversight capacity’.
He reiterated the importance of the independent analysis being carried out, as Ebrington could be viewed as ‘liability as well as an opportunity.
He added it was vital there were ‘sufficient resources’ available to council when the transfer takes place to develop the ‘massive potential’ of the site.
Cllr Boyle’s concerns were echoed by the DUP’s Drew Thompson, who said: “I wouldn’t like to think that all we’re getting out of the SIB is a report, and they will be progressing a number of things on the site, such as the Maritime Museum.”
He added: “I wouldn’t like to the think it will be a year of nothing.”
Mr Kelpie responded that he wanted to ‘reassure members that there was a very considerable body of work underway on site with the SIB assisted by OFMDFM’.
The independent councillor Darren O’Reilly said while Ilex was being praised it was ‘also important’ to highlight some of the problems related to Ebrington, such as a ‘car park people can’t park in’.