SDLP Councillor Brian Tierney has welcomed the decision by Derry City and Strabane District council’s planning committee to grant permission for the extension and renovation of Shantallow Community Centre.
Councillor Tierney who is a member of the Community centre management committee said: “I welcome this decision today by planners to approve this application, I know personally of all the hard work that has gone into it by all involved.
"This is a project that I look forward to getting underway and something that I know is badly needed within the Shantallow area. Local people in the area make fantastic use of the existing building that we have in place at the minute but that is outdated and the community that is serves has expanded over the decades.
"As a local representative I am delighted to see council investment in the Shantallow area, something which I have been working on with others from across the community and voluntary sector to see this much needed project develop.
"I will continue pushing to see actual work starting and this centre develop into a modern day facility for the people of this area and all user groups,” Councillor Tierney concluded.
Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy also welcomed the news.
Councillor Duffy said: "I am delighted to see the planning permission granted, as part of the management committee I understand the need for this renovation and extension.
"A lot of hard work has gone into the design of the new building which will serve the community into the future.
"The current Centre while widely used is now bursting at the seams and has out lived its purpose.
"The local community will all have fond memories of the Centre but the new building will hold exciting opportunities for the future of Shantallow."
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