Derry's new council will take over responsibility for the regeneration of one of the city’s key development sites.

The Fort George site will be among a number of Derry land assets currently managed by the Department of Social Development (DSD) which will be handed over to the Derry City and Strabane District Council when it comes into operation next April.

This will mark the latest chapter in the long-running plans to redevelop the former military base at Fort George.

When the British Army vacated the Fort George and Ebrington military bases, the land was handed over to the government for redevelopment.

The Ilex Urban Regeneration Company was established in 2003 to manage the development of the two sites.

While the regeneration of the Ebrington site has moved forward significantly in recent years, the ten-acre Fort George site remains largely undeveloped.

However, the construction of a large office complex, which will house North West Regional Science Park, is also completed at Fort George.
The DSD last year reclaimed management of the Fort George site from Ilex.

However, the Derry News has learned that the site and 12 other areas of land owned by the DSD in the city will be transferred to the new council next year.

A DSD spokesperson for the Department for Social Development (DSD) said the Northern Ireland Executive had decided to transfer responsibility for urban regeneration to the new councils as part of the changes being made under the Reform of Local Government programme.

“This will involve the new councils getting DSD’s current regeneration powers and the associated budgets and assets, including any land and property held by the Department for regeneration purposes.

“Fort George is one of the regeneration sites owned by DSD in Londonderry and, therefore, it will transfer to the new council on 1 April 2015.

“From that date, DSD will no longer have any direct role in the regeneration of the city.”

According to the DSD, the other regeneration sites in Derry which will transfer to the new local council are:  Newmarket Street; Clooney Base, Limavady Road; Clooney Playing Fields; Lower Fountain Hill; Clondermot School; Foyle Embankment Site; St. Augustines Site, Bishop Street; former City Hotel Site, Foyle Street; William Street Site, 22 William Street; 40 Spencer Road; Galliagh Linear Park, Heather Road; and Jacqueline Way.

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