Hopes High On Brandywell Scheme As Campbell Steps Up

Politics at the Stormont Assembly may well impact on plans for a substantial redevelopment of a sports stadium in Londonderry.

The group behind the planned redevelopment of Brandywell Stadium says it remains "very hopeful" of securing funding for its project after the announcement that the NI Executive's new Culture Minister is to be Gregory Campbell.

The Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, East Derry DUP MLA Gregory Campbell said he has been impressed by the plans to redevelop Derry City's football ground at Brandywell.

Brandywell Properties, the group behind the redevelopment plans, showed the proposals to Mr Campbell during a visit to Stormont recently and Jackie McCauley, from Brandywell Properties, says he looking forward to working with Mr Campbell in the future.

"This is a very positive reaction from the Minister," he said. "Given the fact that he made this comment on his first day in office, we regard this as a great start. We had been worried about a new minister coming in because the previous minister said he was impressed by the plans so we are delighted that the new minister has said the same."

Mr McCauley says Brandywell Properties has already written to Mr Campbell seeking a meeting to discuss the redevelopment proposals.

He says the fact that Mr Campbell has attended games at the Brandywell means he will be aware of the need for redevelopment.

Meanwhile, Mr Campbell said he is looking forward to the challenge of his new role. "The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has such a diverse portfolio ranging from arts to sport and museums to languages.

"I welcome the opportunity to be involved in each and every aspect of it and to lead the Department through the challenges ahead," he said.

(BMcC)