SDLP East Derry Assembly Member John Dallat has called on the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development to explain why there is no plan for the former army barracks at Ballykelly.
Mr Dallat said that a comprehensive plan would identify the best future for the site.
He said: “While I welcome the decision of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to decentralise jobs from Belfast and hope that other departments will follow I am very conscious that Agriculture will occupy only a small part of the site and the remainder sited
“This is in one of the most idyllic and beautiful spots in Derry, overlooking Lough Foyle and Inishowen and merits a detailed investigation into how we can best take advantage of this.
“There is potential here to create hundreds of jobs if this is managed in a professional manner.
“In the past land owned by government departments has been badly handled with very embarrassing examples where millions of pounds was made overnight by speculators. That must not happen in the case of Ballykelly.
“It would be disappointing if the site was allowed to deteriorate without development.
“Sufficient time has now elapsed to expect a progress report and certainly the production of a plan which should have allowed the various stakeholders, including the local community to buy into.”
