Helipad to be replaced by £250k CoC campsite

A FORMER British army helipad used to airlift soldiers in and out of Londonderry during the Troubles will be used as a campsite by visiting revellers and musicians attending the Londonderry UK City of Culture Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann next year, the Sentinel can reveal.

Derry City Council has applied for planning permission for a proposed new £250k camp and caravan park on the former Ebrington army barracks at St Columb’s Road to accommodate visitors during Londonderry UK City of culture 2013.

The exact location of the facility that will include showers, toilets, a kitchen and reception will be located at St Columb’s Road, 120 metres North West of 19b Limavady Road and 70 metres West of St Columb’s Park Leisure Centre.

The local authority expects work will begin in January 2013 and will take about four or five months to complete just in time for the summer season when the Londonderry Culture Company hopes to have a packed programme of events to offer to visitors and citizens alike.

The application is for a “camping facility for caravaning and camping to include alterations to existing entrance, creation of access road, parking bays, drainage, street lighting and soft landscaping.”

There will also be a “replacement of existing building with new services building to incorporate showers, toilets, kitchen and reception.”

According to a recent Derry City Council tender advertisement: “The estimated duration of the works is 4-5 months and it is anticipated that construction will not commence before January 2013. The estimated cost of the project is £250,000.”