DERRY City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee have unanimously approved proposals to make significant infrastructural improvements to the historic Walled Garden at Columb’s Park.
The Council led project, supported by the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, will regenerate the historic Old Walled Garden and will be supported by a programme of peace building activities.
The approved plans for the site will complement the wider St Columb’s Park Regeneration Plan and include stone wall repairs, new entrance gates and pillars and the reinstatement of the 1873 walled garden path lay-out.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh welcomed this latest progress in the park’s redevelopment.
“I would like to warmly welcome the approval of planning permission to regenerate the Old Walled Garden which is a positive step in restoring this historically significant space to its former glory,” he said.
“The St Columb’s Park Regeneration Plan is a priority capital project in the Strategic Growth Plan for the City and District and I would like to acknowledge the generous funding of over £370K from Peace IV without which this development would not be possible.
“The continued progress on this project is facilitated by a strong working partnership between Council’s Parks Management and Development team, St Columb’s Park House and the Acorn Fund.”
Welcoming the project Gina McIntyre, CEO of the Special EU Programmes Body, which manages the PEACE IV Programme said: “We are delighted that the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme has been able to support this latest development which will improve the infrastructure in St Columb’s Park.”
“Upon completion this development will create a new community space that will offer an attractive setting where people from all communities and backgrounds can meet, enjoy the facilities, and most importantly learn from each other.
“PEACE IV funding will also be used to support a wide-range of peace and reconciliation focused activities within the outdoor space.”
