Video: Ebrington site in Derry is ready to ‘blossom’ says top civil servant Mark Browne

Dr. Mark Browne, Director of Strategic Policy, Equality and Good Relations at the Executive Office, said a lot of under-the-radar work has been put into the former barracks site.

“There has been a lot of investment. A lot of investment has had to go into utilities such as water and drainage and all the things you have to do for environmental heritage-type buildings.

“There are a lot of restrictions on the work that can be done on them, and it is costly, but the site is getting to the point where it is going to blossom, because a lot of the things that have been working in the background for a long time are starting to come through. I am encouraged around it,” said Dr. Browne.

He told the Stormont TEO Committee that Derry City & Strabane District Council will eventually take over the site.

“We have been in discussions with it about that. It is a question of when it feels able, and when the time is appropriate, to take on the ownership of the site,” he said.

Dr. Browne said he expected to see real progress with a new office block on top of the car park and the proposed hotel at the clock tower.

“Work has started on new grade-A office accommodation. It is very significant office accommodation: 45,000 to 50,000 ft and 400 to 450 potential employees. That is on one part of the platform that sits over the underground car park.

"There is potential for a further building there, depending on how that first one goes, whether they can get it rented and so forth. There is also significant potential for a four-star hotel at the clock tower. That is in the final stages. A range of aspects of the site are coming to fruition.”