DUP hopeful ofNW1 jobs boost

Mr Hay was amongst a DUP delegation that turned up to see the plans in the Premier Inn.

People living in the area had a chance to see proposals for the £45m development, which will include housing, a supermarket and a ten-screen cinema.

Following the meeting Mr Hay said: “The public meeting was very well attended. There seems to be a broad support from the local people.”

Although the previous application was knocked back, Mr Hay remains hopeful there won’t be any set backs this time around.

“The problem previously was mainly the traffic issue. The retail park had huge congestion especially over the Christmas period and the roads can’t take that volume of traffic. You also have many privately-owned houses around the area as well as Lisneal College.

“There was also the issue with the size of the supermarket being too large, but I’m confident these issues will be addressed and I’m convinced that the project will be approved.”

Five hundred and nine sustainable jobs are predicted if, as hoped, the project is completed in 2017. Five hundred more jobs (man hours) will be supported over two years of construction from early to mid-2015.

Mr Hay hailed this prospective jobs boost: “It’s very good for the people. The economic off-spin is very good and will be great for the Waterside, and these plans will hopefully be approved by July.

“Most of all I think the most important thing here is that the 500 plus jobs created will be for local people.”

Mr Hay said a number of issues need to be addressed before an application is lodged.

“The next meeting is the presentation to the Derry City Council in the next few weeks, hoping to get their support before putting forward the application,” he said.

Mr Hay “remains confident” that the development will get the go-ahead.