Interest expressed by a number of international companies to develop the former British army base at Ballykelly in Co Derry has been welcomed by East Derry MLA Cathal Ó hOisín.
Describing the interest in the 720 acre site as “significant,” the Sinn Fein representative said the now vacant Shackleton Barracks had the potential to transform the economic and social outlook of the entire East Derry area and it was important the “correct decisions” were made.
Mr Ó hOisín said he was seeking a meeting with the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster to ensure the “correct incentives” were in place in order to land major foreign and local investment to the site.
Mr Ó hOisín said: “I welcome the fact that there has been several expressions of interests including a couple of major international companies who are examining the possibility of taking up some of the huge space that is available.
Cathal Ó hOisín.
“With a commitment already from the Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill to reallocate the DARD head office to the site during 2015/16 it is important that we get the correct mix of business, community and social interests on the site.”
Mr Ó hOisín said he was confident the site could be transformed to create large scale employment.
Shackleton Barracks was an airfield during World War Two and remained a Royal Air Force station until 1971 when it was handed over to the army.
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