A former army base, at Clooney, near Londonderry is to be transformed into a high quality educational campus.

Construction jobs by the hundred are set to follow today's announcement made by NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie and Education Minister Caitríona Ruane as they marked the transfer of land for use as a new shared education campus.

The land, at the former Derry military base, will house new, purpose built facilities for Foyle and Londonderry College and Ebrington Primary School.

This will deliver a key element of the Department's regeneration masterplan for the lands in Derry.

Margaret Ritchie said: "This is fantastic news for the people of Derry City. Transferring this land from my department will deliver significant regeneration, educational and environmental benefits to the people of this city.

"It will become an integral part of the surrounding neighbourhoods with local people benefiting not just from excellent schools but also from state of the art sporting and recreational facilities.

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"By working in partnership across Departments with colleagues in local government, with the schools sector, with the university and of course with local people, we have met the challenge we set ourselves in 2006.

"That challenge was to maximise the potential of this asset and deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to local people," she said.

Speaking about the transfer of the lands, NI Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane said: "It is well known that Derry has one of the highest levels of social deprivation. It is therefore vital that we continue to support and invest in the North West.

"Once completed, the new school facilities will represent a £35.27million investment by the Department of Education. Education is central to addressing social inequalities.

"This investment ensures that the children and young people of this area will have the opportunities to reach their full potential. It is through the success and achievements of our young people that we secure the continued growth and success of this area for us all."

In disposing of its land to Foyle and Londonderry College, the Department for Social Development also secured the signing of an option agreement between the College and the University of Ulster.

This now provides the university with the firm commitment it had sought on the land required for the future expansion of its Magee campus.

The Department has also reached agreement, in principle, that Derry City Council will construct the new greenway link and upgrade the existing playing fields at Clooney. Progress will be subject to statutory approvals and the outcome of public consultation.

(BMcC/GK)