Department submits Proposal for Application Notice for Outline Planning Application at Fort George, Northern Ireland

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced his department has submitted the Proposal for Application Notice (PAN) in relation to an application for Outline Planning for the Fort George site in Londonderry.

The site is owned by the Department for Communities (DfC) and the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT). The Department has been working in conjunction with the Trust regarding their plans for a health & care centre, with the Trust submitting a Full Planning Application for the proposed Cityside Health & Care Centre and Multi-Storey Carpark at the end of July 2025. DfC is currently finalising plans for an Outline Planning Application for the regeneration of the remaining DfC-owned plots for a future mixed-use development.

Minister Lyons said: “My department's vision for the Fort George site is of a vibrant mixed-use development that will accommodate a range of potential uses and become a thriving and attractive place where people will want to visit.

“The PAN description submitted ensures flexibility for a range of potential uses, such as office, residential and student accommodation, hotel, leisure, retail, cafes, bars, and restaurants. The regeneration of the site will support employment, investment, and placemaking outcomes for the residents of and visitors to Londonderry, with high quality public realm linking the site to the existing Quay trail, greenway, and the wider city. It is envisaged that Outline Planning will provide a framework for a wide range of uses, ultimately however it will be up to the market to decide the ultimate end uses that best serve the City.”

The Department plans to hold public information events regarding the planning application process early in 2026, details regarding these will be available at a later date.

Notes to editors:

1. Fort George is a former military base which is situated on the west bank of the River Foyle. DfC (then DSD) acquired the site in 2004.
2. Following an expression of interest exercise in 2018, DfC agreed to work with the Western Health and Social Care Trust to develop a proposal for a Health and Care Centre on the site. Lands on the Fort George site required for the HCC and the multi-storey car park were purchased by WHSCT in 2023 and 2025.
3. The Department anticipates the development on the site will be for mixed use. Following the completion of the planning process the department will conduct a marketing exercise which will ultimately determine the proposed uses that will best serve the City.
4. A separate application for Full Planning permission for the Cityside Health and Care Centre and Multi-storey Car Park on the Fort George Site was submitted by the Western Health and Social Care Centre in July 2025. The planning application includes the construction of the internal road network and public realm, and upgrades to the Pennyburn Roundabout.