After the launch on October 5 of its master plan for the Ebrington Barracks site on the east bank of the River Foyle, Ilex is currently looking at feedback from public consultation.

The master plan proposes mixed-use development on Ebrington's 26 acres to include commercial offices; facilities for the leisure, culture, community and tourism sectors; residential development and retail outlets.

Ilex has been charged with using vacated Army sites to regenerate the North West's economy, and its master plan for the other major site - Fort George - is expected to be unveiled within months.

At Ebrington, the wheels are turning slowly because of the need to pay due regard to conservation issues.

A total of 14 buildings are being listed by Environment and Heritage Service, and a further five buildings of architectural note are also being retained for redevelopment.

The remainder of the buildings will be demolished.

The contract has been awarded to undertake a study which will identify those buildings affected by asbestos and therefore requiring specialised demolition. The asbestos report will be completed in February 2007.

Overlooking the river, the Parade Ground has exceptional positioning and Ilex proposes to re-develop it into a piazza with tourism, arts and culture, and cafe, bar or restaurant outlets around it.

Once the buildings earmarked for demolition have been removed the piazza will become the largest single civic area in the city.

The landmark building on the entire site is the 1841 Clock Tower (a former soldiers' quarters) and Ilex, with a lot of local support, is pursuing the possibility of redeveloping it into a regional public art gallery.

Built in 1841, Ebrington Barracks was constructed in the shape of a star, the walls of which are a scheduled monument. While a significant portion of the Star Fort wall remains, parts of it have been either demolished or concealed by buildings.

A Conservation Survey has been awarded and will be completed by February 2007.

Mo Durkan, Ilex's spokeswoman, said: "The survey will inform our approach to the future interpretation of the Star Fort.

"Care will be taken of identified buildings during demolition to ensure, where possible, that original features are highlighted.

"Part of the back wall of the Star Fort has been partly buried under a roadway and part of the wall was previously demolished. The Conservation Survey will identify how best to reinstate or interpret the missing sections to ensure that the entire line of the Star Fort walls is visible."

The contract for the technical feasibility study of a proposed new footbridge has been awarded and will be completed in March 2007.

Ms Durkan said: "This is a major piece of work which will provide design options and technical information to facilitate an international design and build competition. Ilex is currently pursuing funding.

"The foot and cycle bridge will be situated adjacent to the proposed re-located railway station, which will allow transport interchange between the railway station below Ebrington and the bus station on Foyle Street."

The master plan for Fort George - on the west bank of the river - is scheduled for launch in spring 2007.

In the meantime a contract has been awarded to minimise the security profile by reducing the cover-from-view fencing along Strand Road and Bay Road and replacing it with more attractive fencing, which will allow a view from the exterior by next spring.

A contract has also been awarded for the removal of scrub from the site and this is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Ilex is also commissioning a long-term integrated transport strategy for the city which will allow the Regeneration Plan to be implemented to maximum effect. The strategy should be completed by September 2007.