A former Derry school has been acquired by the Department for Social Development as part of its 'Shared Future' regeneration scheme.

The department bought the former Clondermot School site for £3.2m and now plans to oversee the regeneration of the area.

Minister Margaret Ritchie said the redevelopment of the school, located in the Waterside area of the city, would form part of her department's 'Shared Future' scheme.

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"The former Clondermot School site has the potential to make an enormous contribution to the regeneration of the Waterside area and, given its location, can offer an opportunity to deliver a flagship 'Shared Future' regeneration scheme in Derry," said Ms Ritchie.

"The department has produced an ambitious conceptual master-plan for the site. It indicates how this site could be developed to deliver health, education, community business and local council services on the site."

As part of the master plan, the Minister said she had allocated £3.2m to acquire the 'important' Clondermont site from the Western Education and Library Board.

"I aim to bring about the earliest possible redevelopment of this site, in ways that will improve public service provision within the area and create new employment opportunities," she added.

(PR/JM)