Derry City and Strabane District Council Wins Prestigious RTPI Northern Ireland Planning Excellence
11 June 2025
Derry City and Strabane District Council has been awarded the prestigious RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) Northern Ireland Award for Planning Excellence 2025 in the category of Excellence in Planning for Heritage and Culture, in recognition of its transformative Clooney Terrace Cannon Regeneration Project.
The award, announced yesterday at the RTPI Welcome Celebration Event at Malone House, Belfast, celebrates the Council’s leadership and collaborative approach in revitalising the historic Clooney Cannon site into a vibrant, accessible public space that respects and enhances the area’s rich heritage.
Delivered in partnership with the Bonds Street Community Association and Clooney All Saints Church of Ireland, the £215k project, which was funded by Department for Communities, has successfully breathed new life into a site of significant cultural and historical value in the Waterside area. The scheme, completed in 2024, included extensive environmental improvements such as the restoration of the historic Crimean War-era cannon, installation of new seating, planting, lighting, and interpretive signage. A new pathway now connects the cannon site to the adjacent church garden, with improved access points, new boundary railings, and sympathetic lighting that integrates and highlights both heritage assets.
The project was fully funded by the Department for Communities and reflects a broader strategy of heritage-led regeneration and placemaking within the district.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Ruairí McHugh, welcomed the award win:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this recognition from the RTPI. It is a powerful endorsement of what can be achieved through genuine community partnership and thoughtful planning. The Clooney Cannon project not only honours our shared past but also creates a lasting space that will benefit local residents and visitors alike for generations to come. I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge well done and congratulations to everyone involved in this impressive project.”
The RTPI Northern Ireland Awards for Planning Excellence celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact in planning across the region. The Clooney Terrace Cannon Regeneration Project stood out among a competitive field for its thoughtful integration of heritage and community needs, showcasing the power of planning to shape meaningful, inclusive spaces.