Minister has approved planning
permission for a new Maritime Museum and Archive at Buildings at
Ebrington Square, Derry.
The application was considered by the Department as a reserved
matter (RM) for the development of part of the key development
site at the former Ebrington Barracks.
The Minister said: “This is great news for the city and wider
region.
“This approval is an important scheme which will continue the
physical, economic and social regeneration of Ebrington
Square, a key development site within the city. It will also
create a new tourist attraction that will tell the story of
Derry's maritime history and be a welcome addition alongside the
other recent developments in the Square, such as the Ebrington
Hotel.
“I believe the proposal also secures the viable and long term
beneficial reuse of a number of listed buildings, which will make
a positive contribution to the surrounding townscape, be
sensitive to the listed building interest in terms of design,
scale and use of materials and serve to enliven Ebrington Square.
“It can also act to enhance and promote an increase in footfall
from the city across the Peace Bridge to the Waterside, as it
will provide for linked tourist trips visiting the walled city
and other attractions on the Cityside of the river.”
Notices of Opinion to approve the planning application and will
now issue to the local Council (Derry City and Strabane District
Council) and the applicant who in this case is also Derry City
and Strabane District Council
Notes to editors:
- Details of the application: Change of Use of former military
buildings, including alterations & extension, to provide a
Maritime Museum and Archive, parking, landscaping and associated
works (Renewal) at 45/46 & 49 Ebrington Square to the rear of
8-18 Browning Drive, Derry, BT47 6GZ. Planning Reference
SPD/2024/0032/RM.
- As the outline approval was a former Article 31 (major
application) which had been determined by the Department this
Reserved Matters planning application had to be submitted to the
Department under The Planning (2011 Act) (Commencement No.3) and
(Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015. It was
received on 23 February 2024.
- Notices of Opinion to approve the planning application and
will now issue to the local Council (Derry City and Strabane
District Council) and the applicant who in this case is also
Derry City and Strabane District Council.
