Clanmill appoints contractor to redevelop vacant Derry city centre site
Work to recommence on new accomodation for over 55s
Work will shortly recommence on a project to deliver much needed new homes for people aged over 55 in Derry City Centre.
Clanmil Housing Association has appointed a new development partner to complete the scheme at Waterloo Street.
The project, supported by grant funding from the Department for Communities via the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, will transform the former office building into 19 modern apartments for active older people, 14 one bedroom and 5 two bedroom homes.
Designed and built to Lifetime Homes and Secured by Design standards, this scheme will provide Clanmil customers with secure, accessible homes close to shops, services, and transport links.
Welcoming the project, Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Regeneration Manager, Tony Monaghan said: "It is encouraging to see the investment by Clanmil in transforming this prominent site into a modern building which will provide 19 new homes in the heart of the City Centre and add positively to the ongoing regeneration of the area.”
Waterloo Street site to be redeveloped as accomodation for people over 55.
Jan Sloan, Executive Director of Development and New Business at Clanmil Housing Association commented: “We are delighted to see this project move forward along with our development partner Newtownstewart Ltd. Following an enabling period, work will recommence in early 2026 and we look forward to delivering these much-needed homes for people to live well.”
Jim Roddy, City Centre Manager and Chief Executive of City Centre Initiative said: "This is great news and we are very pleased that Clanmil Housing Association has appointed Newtownstewart Ltd to complete the scheme. We look forward to working with them both.”
Henry McKinney, Managing Director at Newtownstewart Ltd, added: "We’re proud to be working alongside Clanmil Housing Association to deliver the homes on Waterloo Street. This project represents a significant investment in Derry City Centre and our team looks forward to helping create a place where older people can live independently, comfortably and as part of a vibrant community.”
The announcement was also welcomed by Foyle MLA, Pádraig Delargey (Sinn Féin).
"This is positive news and finally, after several false dawns, preparatory work will commence in the coming weeks with the main construction work commencing in early 2026," said Mr Delargy.
"I recently met with the contractor - Newtownstewart Construction, Clanmil Housing, local businesses and City Centre Initiative (CCI) and I want to praise their commitment to addressing this eyesore in the middle of our town," he added.
"There is clearly a long term ambition here to redevelop the site but short term measures must be put in place to avoid negative impacts on local businesses and to address the eyesore that is derelict space in the middle of our town.
"Developing specific over 55s accommodation in the city centre is positive and it must be met with the proper resourcing and infrastructure to support people living there.
"The site will be under development for some time and naturally there will be some disruption but I am confident in the assurances given to us by the contractors that they, alongside CCI, will work closely with businesses in the area as well as being cognisant of the fact this is a heavily used pedestrian area. We have been given assurances that all necessary safety measures will be put in place.
"I look forward to seeing the work commencing and will continue to engage with all relevant bodies to see this work progress as quickly as possible."