Northern Ireland construction firm appointed to transform a former Ministry of Defence site

Castlederg’s McKelvey Construction Ltd will deliver the urban farm element of the wider £6.2million Acorn Farm capital build project that is set to transform the former Ministry of Defence (MoD) site into a unique urban growing space.

The Acorn Project is one of three major strategic developments to receive funding from the UK Levelling Up Fund, with support of £5,600,430 secured for the project, with additional funding Derry City and Strabane District Council.

It will facilitate the development of new food growing technologies and set a benchmark as a climate smart project.

Director of Environment and Regeneration with Council, Karen Phillips, said: “The project will deliver an urban food growing hub, a Green Skills learning academy, and a sustainable food event venue that will assist with the delivery of Council’s Good Food Plan Framework, which sets out the agenda for a more sustainable local food system, that is good for people, the economy and of course the planet.”

Work has already begun on site at the park, with building works underway at the Gate Lodge facility located at the entrance to the main avenue leading to St Columb’s Park House.

It is expected work will begin on the next phase in the coming weeks, and is due to be completed in early Summer 2025.