Magee Taskforce chair responds to CRAM criticism

The ‘Magee Expansion Taskforce Update - One Year On’ report has been heavily criticised by the Concerned Residents Around Magee (CRAM) organisation.

Published on January 14, CRAM said it was “still waiting on the promised ‘community engagement’ with the Taskforce. 

It also queried why the report described “Outerwest Ltd, specifically Glen Development Initiative” as the “voice of residents” and a “community partner, ensuring the community’s views, fear and issues are heard”.

A CRAM spokesperson said: “One year on, we would respectfully ask that you [the Taskforce] try harder and more honestly to communicate with local residents and address their concerns meaningfully.

Failure to do so is to disrespect the local people whose lives are being deeply impacted on a daily basis by the Magee Expansion.”

Responding to criticism, Stephen Kelly, chairperson of the Taskforce said CRAM had “demonstrated great commitment in advocating for the interests of residents living closest to the Magee campus”.

“I recognise that the past year has been challenging and that frustrations have understandably grown,” he added.

“From the beginning, the Taskforce has been clear that meaningful, sustained, and well‑structured community engagement is not optional – it is fundamental to the success of the Magee expansion. The Taskforce has made recommendations and asked others with direct responsibility to carry forward this important work. It remains our role to monitor and to challenge where commitments are not being met. 

“For clarity, the Taskforce is made up largely of volunteers brought together by the Economy Minister to assist those with a delivery responsibility, including those with legal powers. 

“We asked and Ulster University has assured the Taskforce that strengthening community engagement is a priority and that they have taken steps to put more formal and active structures in place. A University–Community Forum has been established, including representation from PSNI, Council, DfI and local elected members. The Forum met eight times in 2025, and people identifying themselves as representing CRAM have actively contributed to all its meetings. 

“In addition, the University has developed a Community Partnership Framework, informed by a public consultation process in which CRAM participated, which is expected to become fully operational during 2026,” said Mr Kelly. 

“To ensure that community concerns are heard, and support genuine two-way dialogue, DfE has appointed a Social Licence Lead based at the Magee campus. Her role is to support and lead on engagement activity across the community,” he added.

“The involvement of Outerwest Ltd and the Glen Development Initiative in wider discussions reflects the community-based work they undertake, not a decision to designate them as representatives for residents living nearest to the campus. 

“They are part of a broader landscape of stakeholders, not a substitute for direct engagement with those most directly affected."

Mr Kelly also clarified his recently reported remarks regarding students at Magee feeling “unwelcome”.

The comments were made during a presentation to the February meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Governance and Strategic Planning Committee. 

“My slides actually said ‘continue to work with us / Ulster University to address issues and remind students they are welcome,’” said Mr Kelly, “[but] I did say, for shorthand, that they may feel ‘unwelcome’.

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“I said that, specifically at the beginning of term, there was stress on the local community as students and staff arrived and began to orientate themselves in the city. This attracted significant media coverage at the time,” he added.

“Students are not solely to blame for every issue. We all share a responsibility to park responsibly, behave well, invest appropriately and be good neighbours.

“It was a very positive meeting with Council and particularly helpful that councillors unanimously agreed a motion endorsing our asks and welcoming the progress to date on university expansion. 

“2,000 vibrant, smart, and caring young people arriving in our city each year is a good thing. The issues this causes, the risks that this brings to disturbing settled communities is for us all to try to remove and if not, to mitigate. We are working hard to make sure those who must act, to turn up and deliver, do just that.

“As Cllr [Catherine] McDaid (SDLP) said at the Council meeting, ‘We all want these young people to come, stay and love here.’”

The Glen Development Initiative declined to give The Derry News a comment. Outerwest Ltd was also contacted for comment and at the time of going to print, none had been received.