RSUA meets Council on regeneration in Derry City and Strabane

The RSUA Derry City and Strabane Local Group met today with Karen Phillips, Director of Environment and Regeneration of that District Council, and Tony Monaghan, Regeneration Officer, to discuss the measures currently in place to support regeneration across the area and what can be expected going forward.

City Deal

The Council outlined details and future regeneration plans connected to the Derry City & Strabane City Deal. Agreed in February 2021 as a £250 million project, the programme has since grown to an estimated value of around £345 million.

The Council outlined that this was part of a wider regeneration plan for the City and District, including infrastructure improvements, housing developments, university expansion and the regeneration of key sites at Fort George and Ebrington.

The City Deal aims to create 6,300 net additional jobs by 2033, with almost 70% expected to be filled by local residents, and to generate up to £240 million in additional gross value added over the next decade.

The final construction of all projects is expected to complete in 2032.

Regeneration in Derry~Londonderry

Within Derry~Londonderry, the City Deal is focusing on four priority areas for regeneration. Proposals for Areas 1–3 have been allocated £45 million, while Area 4 is supported through a separate £20 million funding pot.

• Area 1 – University Square: Plans aim to reduce the dominance of road infrastructure, protect heritage features and enhance the riverfront aspect of the area.
• Area 2 – Strand Road & Queens Quay: Plans aim to address the underutilisation of public and private sites, unlocking development by reducing the dominance of road infrastructure and bringing vacant and derelict buildings back into use.
• Area 3 – Harbour Square: Plans likewise aim to reduce the dominance of road infrastructure and enhance the riverfront, while also protecting and promoting its historical character.
• Area 4 – Walled City: Plans aim to improve the Tower Museum and carry out lighting upgrades to the City Walls and the adjacent public realm, including the Diamond, Shipquay Street and Castle Street.

Regeneration in Strabane

£102 million of the budget is set aside for the Strabane Town Centre Regeneration Programme, which entails the delivery of:

• 5,300 sq. m Health Hub
• 2,000 sq. m North West Regional College Campus
• 6,000 sq. m regional leisure centre
• Construction of a new pedestrian/active travel bridge
• At least 8,510 sq. m of site enabling, car parking, landscaping and critical public realm works
• Completion of approximately 87-space car park on the former Academy site on the Derry Road

Involving local architects

In the context of the City Deal and other Council initiatives to regenerate the district, RSUA members expressed concern that competition from larger firms, particularly those based in Belfast, makes it difficult for smaller local practices to secure work on regeneration projects.

Responding, the Council said it is required to follow statutory guidance but hopes to increase the involvement of smaller practices in its procurement opportunities and welcomed the chance to raise the issue through the City Deal Programme Board.

Considering government coordination

RSUA members highlighted a lack of government coordination on regeneration, noting that local councils and various Northern Ireland Executive departments are separately responsible for different, yet closely interconnected, aspects of policy.

The Council acknowledged this challenge and explained that it was navigating it by working locally through its Strategic Growth Partnership, a dedicated taskforce to make targeted interventions, including by allocating around £500 million of capital funding to support strategic, leisure and community projects.

Further engagement

If you have any questions or comments about this meeting, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk