Planners have given the go-ahead for a major cross-border park including a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Foyle.
The Riverine project will link counties Donegal and Tyrone on the Strabane-Lifford border when complete.
The park will include a cross-community shared space along both banks of the River Foyle, as well as managed parkland, an environmental area and adventure play area and community building.
The two sides of the river will be linked by a pedestrian and cycle bridge, modelled on an old railway bridge which once crossed the border river.
As well as promoting cross border relationships, project backers hope it will also promote walking and cycling in the area.
Sited on a 30-acre section of land on either side of the border, the project has experienced a number of delays and has failed to meet a previous deadline.
However, Derry and Strabane council’s planning committee approved the plans on Thursday following a similar approval by the Republic’s An Bord Pleanala.
Chairman of Derry and Strabane planning committee, Sean Mooney said the granting of full planning permission was positive news for the people of Strabane and Lifford.
“The long awaited Riverine community park project aims to regenerate this border riverside area to create a cross-border community park straddling the River Foyle and deliver much needed parkland space in the area.” he said.
“The completed project will be a shared space to bring communities together from both sides of the border, to re-connect and to form new connections and relationships.”
