16 February
GARDINER LAUNCHES CONSULTATION ON DEVELOPMENT OF CLOONEY LANDS
Education Minister, Barry Gardiner, MP, has launched a consultation document on the future uses for former Ministry of Defence lands at Clooney, in the Waterside area of Londonderry.
The consultation document called ‘Clooney – A Catalyst for Change’, was produced by the Department for Social Development’s North West Development Office, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Administration. It seeks views from the public on proposals to facilitate regeneration and to address education needs, through the development of land at Clooney and the Northland Road.
The Clooney lands consist of the former military base, totalling 32 acres, and the Clooney Playing Fields, comprising 16 acres, which are half a mile to the west of the base. These are located in the heart of the Waterside area on the Limavady Road.
It is proposed to locate Ebrington Primary School and Foyle and Londonderry College together at Clooney. The land at Northland Road, currently occupied by the grammar school, could then be used to facilitate the future expansion of the Magee campus of the University of Ulster (UU).
Speaking at the launch of the document, the Minister said:
"We now have the opportunity to unlock the enormous potential of lands on a main arterial route into the city, end the uncertainty as to the future location of Foyle & Londonderry College and, at the same time, to facilitate the possible future expansion of the University of Ulster’s Magee campus.
"Collectively, the proposed relocation of Foyle and Londonderry College, the agreed relocation of Ebrington Primary School and the aspirations for the further development of the Magee Campus of UU, signal major land requirements for the education sector in Derry.
"If delivered in a strategically integrated manner, the development of Clooney presents the possibility of achieving both the maximum regeneration benefits of a key site in the heart of the Waterside, while meeting the educational estate needs of the city.
"Clooney could, therefore, act as a catalyst for change across the whole city, and deliver benefits to local people on both sides of the River Foyle."
Following the distribution of the consultation document, the North West Development Office will host a series of workshops and public exhibitions to facilitate debate and allow feedback on the proposals for development, both at Clooney and at Northland Road. Officials from the North West Development Office and the Department of Education will be in attendance at these events.
The Consultation Document is available on the DSD website: www.dsdni.gov.uk.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Clooney lands consist of the former military base, comprising 32 acres, and the Clooney Playing Fields, comprising 16 acres, which are half a mile to the west of the base.
- The eight – acre site, proposed for the new Ebrington Primary School at Clooney, is adjacent to the military base.
- Foyle & Londonderry College currently owns 50 acres of land in the Northland Road/Duncreggan Road area, comprising a junior school, senior school and associated playing fields.
- Comments can be sent to:
Mr Martin White
North West Development Office
40 Foyle Street
Londonderry
BT48 6AT
Tel 028 7131 9784
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