Derry City and Strabane District Council approved two large residential developments at a Special Planning Committee meeting on March 19. The projects total 739 affordable housing units.

One development at lands between 42 and 44 Springtown Road, west of St. Eithne's Park and Derrymore, includes 259 units plus communal spaces and landscaping. Statutory bodies including DfI Roads and NI Water raised no objections during consultations. One objection cited access, congestion, and road safety concerns. The applicant stated construction starts after hiring a contractor by late March, with completion by June 2029.

The second development spans lands between Upper Galliagh Road, south of Beragh Hill Road, west of Beraghvale, and north of Skeoge Link Road. It features 343 two-storey dwellings, 137 apartments, seven retail units, two three-storey office blocks, open spaces, a multi-use games area, landscaping, and parking. Plans include an internal bus route and Translink travel cards for residents to address a 50-space parking shortfall.

The applicant described a central hub for retail and offices, allotments in communal areas, and phased construction starting with 120 homes from east to west. Committee members unanimously approved both projects.

Planning Committee Chair Councillor John Boyle stated the developments mark a major investment addressing shortages in social and affordable housing in Derry.

At the same meeting, Sinn Féin Councillor Christopher Jackson proposed council engagement with the Department for Infrastructure to revise the Local Development Plan's interim HMO policy. Current Policy HOU 13 limits HMOs to 30% of houses per street near Magee University pending the Local Policies Plan.

DfI correspondence outlined steps for review under section 14(1)(a) of the 2011 Act, requiring evidence updates, demonstration of policy issues, and public consultation. DfI projected one-year completion depending on evidence and consultation. Members unanimously backed the proposal to pursue a 10% threshold as soon as possible.