Business

Green light for first phase of £450m Derry housing project

The initial phase of The Cashel scheme will see 450 homes built on the outskirts of Derry city.
The initial phase of The Cashel scheme will see 450 homes built on the outskirts of Derry city. The initial phase of The Cashel scheme will see 450 homes built on the outskirts of Derry city.

DERRY house builder Braidwater has secured planning permission for 740 homes close to the Donegal border.

The initial phase of 'The Cashel' project, which represents an investment of around £100 million, is part of the group’s wider plans to invest £450m in up to 3,000 homes.

It will eventually create a new urban village at Skeoge roundabout in Coashquin, with a mix of private, affordable and social housing.

Braidwater said its plans also provide for a new high street with retail units, gym and community centre.

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s planning committee formally approved phase one of the project this week.

Braidwater said around 250 construction jobs will be involved in the scheme, which will see the group financially contribute to the widening of the Buncrana Road.

The builder’s planning and technical director, Finbarr Grogan said: “The Braidwater Group has a proven track record of delivering large scale projects of this scale, and we look forward to delivering a vital, low-carbon project of which we and the people of the Northwest can be proud.”

Barry Kerr, director of development at Apex Housing Association, who have been working with Braidwater said: “Achieving planning for phase one of this development is great news as this will make a significant contribution towards addressing the substantial housing need in the local area. “Importantly, this project will be developed with a strong emphasis on the environment which is a key priority for our organisation.”