New hotel proposed for historic Ebrington site

by Gráinne Connolly

Local people are being invited to give their views on a major hotel development proposed for the Ebrington Square site as part of the Council led IMPROVE project. 

The planning application for a 152 bedroom hotel to occupy Buildings 63, 67, 68, 69 and 79 Ebrington Barracks is now live. 

Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC) is seeking public feedback on the proposed design for what will be one of the most prominent developments with the historic site. 

The designed hotel will feature a restaurant and bar, function suite, meeting rooms, a gym and spa, with on-site parking to the rear of the building. 

It's one of a number of developments earmarked for the site, which will be handed over to DCSDC in 2018 by the Executive Office. 

The Ebrington Hotel is a £15m investment by the Ebrington Leisure Group, and it's anticipated the venture will create around 100 new full and part time jobs. 

Director of Environment and Regeneration with the Council, Karen Phillips, encouraged local people to give their views on what will potentially be a transformative project for the area. 

"The Ebrington Square site will be a major element of Council's property portfolio, with the potential to drive investment in the Waterside area. 

"The new hotel development if approved, will not only bring visitor's to the area, it will also bring jobs, and local people should have their say on how this project develops. 

"There is also the historic aspect to consider, and the fact that the buildings on this site are listed, which all impact on how they should be refurbished and regenerated. 

"Council is currently working on the Local Development plan for Derry and Strabane.

"We want local people to get involved in all aspects of its preparation and to participate in the future development of our District. 

"I would really urge everyone to read the proposed plans for this particular site, due to its strategic significance in terms of both the local economy and as a place of great historic interest."

The submitted proposals for the hotel state that any development will be sympathetic to the existing historic building and that:

"...extensions are proposed to echo the materials, window arrangements and vertical emphasis of the existing Clock Tower Building and former barracks buildings and to provide contrast yet respect the adjacent listed buildings at the same time."

Council is currently engaged in producing the Local Development Plan (LDP) for Derry and Strabane.

This sets out the future planning framework for the entire district in keeping with the aspirations of the recently published Strategic Growth Plan. 

A fundamental part of the new planning process, under which both the LDP and Development Management process operates, is open and effective engagement.

Formal representation on this Planning Application, Application Reference: LA11/2017/0862/F can be made online at www.planningni.gov.uk