City Deal for Derry-Londonderry and Strabane City Region

The key partners responsible for the delivery of the Derry~Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal, the single largest ever investment by the UK Government and NI Executive in the region, have welcomed today’s signing of the financial deal at the Guildhall, and reinforced their commitment to working collectively to deliver on the projects that will bring about growth, investment and prosperity for the region. Of the total £293 million funding, the UK Government has provided £50 million City Deal funding and £55 million via the Inclusive Future Fund, which has been match funded by the Northern Ireland Executive with contributions by Derry City and Strabane District Council and its project partners of £83 million.

The key delivery partners of the City Deal, led by Derry City and Strabane District Council, are the Ulster University, the Western Health and Social Services Trust, Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre (C-TRIC-Ltd) and the North West Regional College.

They were among the guests who attended the official Financial Deal signing event at Derry’s Guildhall today that was hosted by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr, and attended by First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, MLA; the Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly, MLA; Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn; the Minister for Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, along with video messages of support from, the Minister of Health, the Minister for Infrastructure, the Communities Minister and the Minister for Economy,

Welcoming the Signing of the Financial Deal, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr, said it marked a significant step in the City Deal journey with a commitment from the UK Government and NI Executive to provide the funding for the further development of full business cases and continue collaborative working with partners in the business and academic sectors to develop the detailed design. This will deliver the suite of City Deal projects that will bring about a transformative boost to the region’s economy.

She said: “This is a momentous day for the Derry and Strabane region. This Financial Deal is an historic agreement between the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and Council, together with our delivery partners, to set out our united commitment to deliver on a suite of exciting projects in the areas of innovation, digital and health science, infrastructure regeneration and tourism, that will transform our region to further job creation, skills and investment.”

Acknowledging the collaborative approach to securing the City Deal, the Mayor said the joint efforts of the key delivery partners, key stakeholders and civic and political leaders was critical to reaching this important milestone.

She added: “A huge amount of work has been done since the signing of the Heads of Terms in 2021. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and a cost-of-living crisis that saw an impact on inflationary costs, we have successfully re-analysed and realigned the project to sustainably reduce the escalating costs whilst still retaining the core focus nature and impact of the projects. This work has ensured that the projects are deliverable and achievable towards our goal of bringing about inclusive growth and deliver a step change for future generations.”

Among the strategic projects included in the investment package are plans to develop a new combined Cognitive Analytics and Digital Robotics Innovation Centre (CADRIC) at Ulster University; a new teaching and research accommodation at Ulster University’s School of Medicine and Precision Medicine Centre, a teaching facility and new build extension at C-TRIC Ltd and a SMART/Digital City programme that will place the city at the leading edge of urban innovation, supporting the development of smart specialisations across a range of sectors and public service delivery.

Key regeneration projects included in the City Deal include the provision of mixed-use health, leisure and educational facilities as part of a major regeneration of the Canal Basin and Derry Road area of Strabane Town Centre to include a new pedestrian bridge and associated public realm and environmental works, alongside hugely exciting plans to revitalise Derry’s Central Riverfront/Strand Road and Walled City area. This will create new public space through the reorientation of road space and traffic circulation in Derry City centre, with the remodelling of key streets in and around Harbour Square providing multi-use civic space that will be supported by exciting and innovative plans within the Walled City, integrate space at the Tower Museum into Guildhall Square and the Craft Village. All of this will be complimented by major lighting schemes, the reimaging of public space, new signage and public realm in the city centre. There are also plans to create an iconic interactive museum and tourist attraction at the Ebrington site.

Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of North West Regional College (NWRC) said: “Today’s signing of the Financial Deal at the Guildhall brings us another step forward to seeing major change in the North West with long term plans that will drive further investment in this City and District Region. At NWRC we are committed to working with our partners on City Deal which will be the largest ever investment in this region and move forward in key areas of development and innovation.

“I believe this will be a catalyst for change and bring us closer to becoming the place we need to be, as we strive to build the skills of people in our city and district. “Proposals for the development of a replacement site for our Strabane Campus have the potential to make a significant contribution to the future socio-economic regeneration of the Strabane region. We must continue to work together to provide greater higher-level learning and career opportunities in the region.”

John Kelpie, Chief Executive with Derry City and Strabane District Council said the signing of the Financial Deal was an important milestone in the city and region’s journey towards getting the Business Cases over the line and the City Deal projects coming to fruition.

He said: “The signing of the Financial Deal of over £290m investment from Government and the additional financial input from the delivery allows partners to move forward with these exciting projects and achieve our goals in regenerating key areas and creating a city and town centre that is safe, accessible and vibrant. It has the potential to bring an additional 6,300 jobs by 2033 and lever additional millions in investment over the next decade. We aim to increase our output growth with a GVA (gross value added) of £230m per annum that in turn will see a significant increase in wages. Council has delivered on the objectives set out in the Strategic Inclusive Growth Plan to deliver over £100m on community projects to date and the City Deal investment by Government will now allow us to see real growth in sectors such as health and life sciences, digital industries and SMART technology that will support economic investment and regeneration as well as boost tourism and culture. A key element to all of this is the collaborative approach and joint commitment from all the delivery partners to deliver these exciting projects that will benefit the people of the city and district and wider region.”

Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice Chancellor of Ulster University said: “Ulster University, along with the Derry City and Strabane District Council, the NI Executive, the UK Government, and other delivery partners, have a relentless ambition to deliver growth, investment and prosperity for the North West region. Our shared commitment to this ambition is clearly demonstrated by the Derry-Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal and this is another significant milestone in our journey to ensuring that this region, and its people, see the economic and community benefits of our work.

"The signing today brings us one step closer developing a new combined Cognitive Analytics and Digital Robotics Innovation Centre (CADRIC) and to expand our campus footprint through the development of a new School of Medicine building, which encompasses a Personalised Medicine Centre to deliver the research that will help drive our understanding of a range of health conditions. This will enable us to deliver high quality medical education and research in the region and to train a greater number of doctors who will meet the ever-growing healthcare needs of Northern Ireland.

“These projects, alongside our ongoing work to grow and enhance our Derry~Londonderry campus, have the potential to be transformative for the city and the wider region and we look forward to continuing to work with all partners to deliver on this potential.”

Neil Guckian, Western Health and Social Care Trust’s Chief Executive said: ““I am delighted to see this momentous project moving forward with the financial signing of the Derry ~Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund. As a Trust we are thrilled by the positive impact this important project will have on health and social care in the local area. “The existing Trust MedEd West facility at Altnagelvin Hospital will be enhanced by new £4.6m purpose built teaching space, providing a flexible, modern and high quality environment, supporting staff and students to maximise their learning opportunities. “The teaching space particularly will enhance the education of medical students and has the prospect of attracting and retaining world class talent.”

Professor Aaron Peace, Chief Executive Officer of C-TRIC Ltd and Director of Research and Development said: “I very much welcome this significant step forward in the financial signing of the City Deal. The Altnagelvin site will see an investment of £11m into the expansion of C-TRIC to support increased Clinical Research opportunities for our local community and region. In line with the O’Shaughnessy Report this investment aims to deliver significantly more Clinical Research Trials thereby providing greater access to novel treatments that would be not otherwise available to our community.

Professor Peace added that: Not only will the City Deal/Inclusive Future Fund improve the quality of care for our community, but it will also create further income to be reinvested in jobs. Along with the expansion of Clinical Research Trials the City Deal initiative will support unique community initiatives never seen anywhere else with particular focus on harder to reach communities in our region who are notoriously underrepresented. More patients in clinical studies means better care, more income generation and more jobs to boost the Life and Health sector both within and beyond the Derry/Londonderry and Strabane city region."

For more info on the Derry~Londonderry Strabane City Deal, visit www.derrystrabane.com/citydeal