St Columba statue plan for the Foyle

Daily

'Statue of Liberty' plan for Derry
A computer rendering of the statue of St Columba which is proposed for the River Foyle. The statue will stand 160ft above the water

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

A massive Statue of Liberty-type structure could be built in the River Foyle if a new multi-million pound development gets the green light, it emerged today.

Plans for the £16m, 160ft high statue of St Columba have been unveiled by the Inner City Trust.

It is one of two major developments for Londonderry which were today awaiting the go-ahead.

The second project in the Waterside could see a marina and more than 100 houses adjacent to the Craigavon Bridge.

A planning application has been lodged for a site on the Victoria Road, proposing a six-storey development with a 14-storey tower containing 106 homes and 198 car parking spaces.

The plan includes an application for converting existing structures into a bar, restaurant and marina on lands which have lain derelict since 1983 when they were vacated by Foyle Fisheries Commission.

The development is led by Multis Limited, owned by Castlerock man Gavin Higgins, and designed by Belfast firm, McGurks Chartered Architects.

A spokesman for McGurks said that the site, with its important history in the development of industry in the city, presents an "excellent opportunity" for an urban housing scheme providing riverfront living.

"It is important that this proposal be seen as a method in which to enhance the Foyle river frontage both for the private residents and the public who will be able to use the public promenade at the front of the site, " he said.

"This new promenade will continue the walk along the Foyle from Victoria Park through the site across the Craigavon Bridge and to the city beyond. This adds a public dimension to the scheme handing over the river frontage to the city.

"The proposed river walk and marina along with the existing adjoining park will also further enhance the quality of this scheme. The existing ice-house and tunnel will be renovated to create a restaurant and bar overlooking the marina area."

Meanwhile, a statue of Derry's patron saint, St Columba, could soon be looming over the river.

Members of Derry City Council's development committee have provisionally approved plans for the 160ft structure representing St Columba, in the style of Rio de Janeiro's iconic Christ The Redeemer following a presentation from the Inner City Trust.

Proposals site the landmark 50 yards into the water, accessible by a bridge or via a ferry from the west bank of the Foyle. Sightseers will be able to climb the statue via stairs or lifts, and observe the city from two large windows.

The Chief Executive of the Inner City Trust, Paddy Doherty, said that the statue could help bring communities together.

"The Inner City Trust River Foyle Project is an attempt to create a haven of peace on the centre of the river which divides the city, where both Catholics and Protestants together can meet and appreciate historic shared Christian heritage. The iconic building on the River Foyle, representing Columba, will present a new image of the city to the world," he said.