Clooney Army Base Another Boost To The Regeneration Of The North West

11 February 2004
CLOONEY ARMY BASE ANOTHER BOOST TO THE REGENERATION OF THE NORTH WEST
Welcoming the decision by the MOD to vacate the Clooney Army Base, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ian Pearson, MP, said that he had agreed in principle to the purchase of the site by the Northern Ireland administration.
"The Clooney Army Base undoubtedly has the potential to significantly boost the ongoing efforts for the social and economic regeneration of the North West as a whole. Combined with the Ebrington and Fort George sites it provides a significant development opportunity, which properly requires a strategic planning approach. I will be considering carefully how the site can be developed to bring maximum benefit to the area."

Ian Pearson added: "I view this as another important opportunity to give momentum to the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative launched by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government in May 2002. As was stated at that time we want these sites to symbolise peace and prosperity and become the engine of economic and social regeneration in local areas.

"This commitment confirms our serious intent that government, working in conjunction with bodies such as Ilex, the urban regeneration company for the Derry City Council area, is determined to adopt a proactive and strategic approach to the regeneration of Londonderry."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Reinvestment and Reform Initiative

The Reinvestment and Reform Initiative (RRI) was launched in May 2002 by the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the then First and Deputy First Ministers, Rt Hon David Trimble, MP, MLA and Mr Mark Durkan, MLA.

The RRI package included the transfer of a number of security bases (the Maze/Long Kesh, Ebrington Barracks, Crumlin Road prison, Magherafelt Barracks and Windsor Park Barracks) to the Northern Ireland Executive without charge; the decision to establish a Strategic Investment Body as a new and highly innovative mechanism for managing and financing the investment programme addressing Northern Ireland’s infrastructure deficit; and new powers to borrow money for infrastructure programmes based upon local revenue sources to meet the loan repayments.

Ilex Urban Regeneration Company Ltd.

This Non-Departmental Public Body was formed by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Department for Social Development to create and promote the regeneration of the Derry City Council area. While working at arms length from the Departments, Ilex, which was established in July 2003, will use the collective force of public and private sector drive, expertise, finance and development skills to implement a regeneration framework that will socially and economically benefit the area in the context of the North-West as a whole. Ebrington Barracks and Fort George sites will be developed within the context of the Urban Regeneration Company.

Ebrington Barracks

The 26 acre site in the Waterside area of the City was one of the prime strategic sites negotiated by the former First Minister and Deputy First Minister for transfer, free of charge, under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative, in May 2002. The Army vacated the Barracks on 12 December 2003, with the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister then taking formal ownership of the property.
Fort George

Ian Pearson announced in Derry last year that the 15 acre Fort George site would be purchased from the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission by the Department for Social Development. The Department’s North West Development Office is undertaking a formal appraisal of the site prior to purchase. Completion is expected in the near future.

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