Planning approval for DARD HQ in Ballykelly

The matter will now go before the next full Council meeting for final approval.

Ms Archibald said: “It is fantastic to hear that the planning committee has approved the plans for the state of the art building which will be the home of new DARD headquarters. This is a significant step in delivering the project and if everything progresses as planned, the first employees will move to the new HQ by the end of 2017.

“The movement of this department will have a significant knock-on effect in this region, in terms of jobs and spending in the local economy, both during the construction phase and also once the department is in place.”

Colr. Dermot Nicholl said: “This relocation is a demonstration of Sinn Féin’s commitment both to the decentralisation of public sector jobs and to investing in the North West. Minister Michelle O’Neill must be congratulated for her commitment to this project, which has seen for the first time, the decentralisation of an entire government outside of the Greater Belfast area.”