Politicians support First Derry Church

The church, just inside the city walls at Upper Magazine Street, has been closed for seven years after the entire building was badly hit by dry rot. The congregation has been operating from Carlisle Road Methodist Church while work went on planning for an eventual return to Upper Magazine Street.

A delighted Dr. David Latimer, the minister of First Derry announced in December that all the funding was in place not only for the 2m rebuilding and refurbishment of the church but for the building of an Interpretive centre at the rear as well.

"Then we had the bombshell that all grants for projects under the Built Heritage Programme were being capped at 250,000," said Dr. Latimer. "It was extemely disappointing."

But for Dr. Latimer and the First Derry congregation it was another hurdle to overcome.

"I am delighted to say that we have the SDLP, Sinn Fein and the DUP all working with us to get thecapping lifted," said Dr. Latimer "and I'm hopeful that we will still be able to get our work underway in time."

It's hoped that work will get under way next month and take 18 months to complete. A meeting was planned with the Environment Minister, Edwin Poots yesterday.

Dr. Latimer said they impressed on the minister the fact that they have had to spend more than 400,000 on making the First Derry building safe while the plans were being finalised.

Two other signature projects, the Guildhall and St. Columb's Cathedral were also hit by the capping but the Cathedral project was said by DUP Alderman William Hay to be almost over the line when the capping was announced.

The Guildhall scheme is costing 700,000 and will be badly bit by the capping but there are hopes that this scheme will still get the go ahead.

Mark Dukan said: "The schemes are a key part of the city's image, a key part of our offer to tourists and a key part of any aspiration we have to being a seriously shared city with a quality built heritage."