The Walled City Partnership Limited (WCP) comprising the Foyle Civic Trust, Derry City Council and the City Centre Initiative was formed in 2002 with the purpose of preserving and enhancing the architectural and historic character of Derry both within and around the city walls. The WCP is supported by advisers from Planning NI, North West Development Office and Northern Ireland Housing Executive. It is responsible for implementing and administering the Walled City Townscape Heritage Initiative.
Townscape Heritage Initiative
The Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) is a grant aid programme for the restoration and regeneration of the historic built environment in towns and cities throughout the UK. The THI is primarily funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The primary aim of the THI is to promote the sustainable and viable use of buildings that make up the special architectural character of historic urban areas.
THI gives the highest priority to the restoration of historic buildings and to bringing underused historic properties back into use, particularly those within a designated conservation area.
Phase I THI scheme
The Phase I THI scheme commenced in 2002 and completed in 2010. A total of fifteen properties benefited from the scheme, the most prominent of which being the former Northern Counties Hotel in Waterloo Place.
Former Northern Counties Hotel Castle Street / Shipquay Street properties
The HLF provided a grant of £1 million, which together with partnership funding and owner contributions, resulted in an overall investment in the built heritage of the city centre in the region of £4.5 million.
Phase II THI scheme
In 2010 a further £1.669 million HLF funding was secured which enables the scheme to operate for a further five year period. The scheme is operating within a defined area of the Historic City Conservation Area, clustering with Phase 1 completions for maximum impact.
Completion of 12-15 Magazine Street Completion of 23-25 Waterloo Street
The Walled City Partnership
The Craft Village
13 Magazine Street
Derry
BT48 6HH
Tel: 02871 371037
Project Officer: Ronan O’Donnell
walledcitypartnership@derrycity.gov.uk
