Concerns have been raised over prolonged negotiations between the Executive Office and private owner over lands currently used for a bonfire in Derry.
The initial "Urban Village Initiative" was to include new houses, retail units, community and youth facilities and licensed premises - expected to cost in the region of £11million.
The bonfire site, which marks the Catholic feast of the Assumption of Mary, is expected to be lit on the recently cleared construction site at Lecky Road at 11pm on August 15.
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Foyle and SDLP MLA Sinead McLaughlin said that Meenan Square in the city's Bogside area was becoming an eyesore for the local community.
Ms McLaughlin said promises had repeatedly been broken since the announcement first came six years ago in 2016. She said: “It is extremely disappointing that six years after this area was referenced in the plans around the Urban Villages initiative, Meenan Square remains undeveloped and the space has become an eyesore for local people who are growing increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress being made.
“In the past six years, the truth is that announcements of funding simply haven’t been delivered on and local residents haven’t seen the change that is needed.
"Questions need to be asked about why progress in this area still has not been made, especially given its proximity to areas of such popularity with tourists.
“The Executive Office should expedite negotiations with the owner of this land so we can finally see some progress being made and create a space that the whole community can be proud of."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Executive Office said that they hoped that talks over the purchase of the site would "conclude soon".
“The Meenan Square site remains in private sector ownership," said the spokesperson. “Discussions on the purchase of the site continue with the owners and delivery partners and we hope they will conclude soon.
"[This will allow] Urban Villages to move forward with transforming the site into a shared space for fostering positive community identities; building good relations; and harnessing wider economic and social benefits for the local community.”
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