MEMBERS of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee took a tour of the Ebrington recently to get an insight into ongoing development works at the former military site.
Accompanied by Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Director of Environment and Regeneration, Karen Philips, the Head of Planning, Maura Fox, principal Planning Officers Andree McNee and Suzanne McCracken, the Planning Committee members were given a tour of the site to view progress works and were given an overview of the works currently ongoing at the site by The Executive Office.
Welcoming the update, Planning Committee chairman Cllr John Boyle said members were very impressed with the progress that has been made at the site and delighted to get update on up and coming developments.
Among the buildings they viewed were Buildings 10,10a, 11 and 17 in respect of which the Council recently provided planning approval for a new craft distillery and Visitor Centre at Ebrington Square.
The Planning Committee approved planning permission and listed buildings consent for the change of use and extension of these former Barracks buildings.
John Boyle, chairman of the Planning Committee at Derry City and Strabane District Council said the committee were very impressed with the work carried out on the four former military barracks buildings, three of which are Grade B2 listed.
He said: “This is just one of a number of hugely important developments at Ebrington that is enhancing and regenerating listed buildings that form part of a key cluster of landmark buildings and spaces that are significant to our built heritage.
“Ebrington as a former military barracks that dates back to the 1840s and covers a space of 26 acres/10.5 hectares, is of significant historic importance to this city. It contains a number of listed buildings and is a key site for the economic development and regeneration of Derry and the wider City North West region.”
Karen Philips, Director of Environment and Regeneration with Derry City and Strabane District Council, says the development of Ebrington is key to the overall regeneration and strategic growth planned for the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.
“The ongoing development of the site is providing a significant boost for business, tourism and the people of the area and we are hugely excited to be part of this exciting plan to revitalise an 1840’s site with new offices, cafes and creative industry space as well as plans for a Maritime Museum, hotel and leisure developments and retail offering.”
Maura Fox, Head of Planning with Derry City and Strabane District Council said the site visit gave members a chance to see at first hand the work that is being done on the ground by the Department to make a number of the buildings business ready for potential private sector investment and to get an insight into how these buildings can be used for a mix of uses.
“It was great to see the work that is being done to transform a number of buildings at the site such as the Cunningham Building to assist with the process of making it attractive for investment.
“The articulation of this mix will also deliver on Ebrington’s tourism potential and create a shared space that can be enjoyed by all,” she concluded.
In line with the October 2015 Ministerial announcement, it is expected that the Ebrington site will move to Derry City and Strabane District Council. Ebrington remains a key element of the Council’s Community Plan/Inclusive Growth Plan for the regeneration and investment of the City and region.”
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