A 15-acre site on the west bank of the Foyle river in Derry, which has been the British army's city-side headquarters for almost 30 years, is to be returned to its owners, the Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners.
The Ministry of Defence has agreed to surrender the remaining 12 years of its 21-year lease of the Fort George site to the Commissioners. The MOD's decision followed disagreement between its Defence Estates on the one hand and the Commissioners and local politicians on the other, after the ministry had offered its lease on the open market while it was in discussion with the Commissioners.
"We are now keen to move forward to an open, extensive and quality consultation process as soon as possible in order that a flagship development will be achieved to contribute to the economic wellbeing of the city of Derry and its community," a Commissioners spokesman said.