DERRY City and Strabane District Council confirmed it is currently in discussions over a deal for Derry.Earlier today, British Chancellor Philip Hammon announced a city deal for Belfast during his Budget 2017 in Westminster.
But yet again the North or Ireland’s second largest city, Derry, failed to get a city deal.
Now the local council says it is in discussions with the Northern Ireland Executive, and the Department for Communities and Local s Government in London which is the responsible department for Local Growth policy and initiatives and City Deals, with regard to progressing a City Deal for the City and District that will deliver on the key catalyst projects outlined in the recent Strategic Growth Plan.
The key catalyst projects being proposed as part of the City Deal include the expansion of the Ulster University Magee Campus and NWRC to 9,400 students, the A2 Buncrana Road Economic Corridor and major physical and regeneration schemes in both Derry City Centre and Strabane Town Centre.
The investment in our innovation and research institutes underpinned by the development of skills and job creation and business support initiatives as well as improved transport and connectivity programmes, are also identified as key catalysts for change.
It is proposed that these projects, if delivered, will provide an additional 12,000 new jobs for the city and region, generate over £500m of additional GVA, deliver £100m additional tax revenue and provide over £200m additional wages to the local economy on an annual basis.
The spokesperson added that discussions to date have been positive and Council is currently liaising with officials in the Northern Ireland Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government to further advance its robust, evidence-based and outcomes-focused proposals, aimed at transforming our city and region.
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