Derg community can help shape regeneration scheme

THE Castlederg community is being urged to help shape the planned regeneration scheme for the town by attending a public consultation on draft plans which are being held in Derg Leisure Centre later this month.

Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee have approved plans to embark on a stakeholder and community consultation for the Diamond Regeneration element of the Derg Active Project in Castlederg.

This drop-in event will also be used as an opportunity to share the emerging plans for Mitchell Park, which will see the creation of a new 3g Floodlight Sports Pitch which is also being funded through the UK Levelling Up Fund.

Back in October 2021, Derry City and Strabane District Council secured £5,823,090 from the UK Levelling Up Fund to deliver the Derg Active Project.

The funding was part of an overall £15.5m funding pot secured by the Council from UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund to deliver on three strategic projects across the Council.

A core element of the Derg Active Project is to deliver a high-quality public realm at the Diamond in the centre of the Village.

The project management team will further engagement with the traders in the town centre while officers will continue to engage with DfI, The British Legion, Local Growth Partnership, Translink, the utility companies and other organisations and individuals potentially impacted by the proposed Public Realm Works.

A two day stakeholder engagement and community consultation on the emerging plans has now been scheduled to take place in the Derg Leisure Centre on: Thursday, February 23 (11am-2pm and from 4-pm) and also on Saturday, February 25 (10am-2pm).

Local Sinn Féin councillor, Ruairí McHugh, said, “Following the community engagement event noted above, GM Design also plan to undertake door to door stakeholder engagement with local traders and other stakeholders potentially affected by the proposed Public Realm Works.

“This represents a significant investment in our town and that it is essential that we get it right.

“I would therefore encourage maximum input from local businesses and the wider local community in Castlederg on what is being proposed so that their views are taken on board.”