There are renewed hopes and optimism for accelerating the regeneration of Tullyally and Currynierin over the next five years, according to one local councillor.
Ulster Unionist Ryan McCready, who grew up in Tullyally, said that young people in the area were experiencing the same 'frustration and barriers' that he did when he left the area two decades ago to begin working abroad.
The Derry City and Strabane District elected representative said that "people had been thrown under the bus time and time again", adding that it was "soul-destroying" to those who lived and cared for the area.
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He told MyDerry that a "comprehensive plan" must now be formed to ensure that the "years of neglect" came to an end.
Outlining his ideas for Tullyally, and neighbouring Currynierian, Cllr McCready said: "Recently there have been frictions between Tullyally and Currynierin at youth level.
"This is identical to what would have been happening when I was a teenager and I was hanging around those areas. We used fight, we didn't know why but we did, and there was nothing really for us to do. That's what we need to change.
"There was literally nothing for us to do as kids. There was a greenway, or a field, between Tullyally and Currynierin and a few parks that weren't sufficient.
"That's my memories and when I came back 20 years later, I walked down the same street that I left from, my mum's house, and what really stood out to me what that a piece of the grass had been walked on that much that it is now just the walkway.
"It wasn't supposed to be like that but it has been walked on that much that the grass has just rotted away.
"And that's why I feel so passionate about getting this area the regeneration that it deserves. When I came back, I couldn't help but think that if nothing had been done while I was away, then it would be a pretty good place to start.
"We need to make those small steps, but it also has to include Currynierin. Those young people are experiencing the same type of frustrations and barriers to opportunities that I did.
"I got together with Tullyally Community Centre recently and I've talked to the youth and connected with them. They understand now that I've been through some of the same experiences as them already and I'm out the other end."
He continued: "When I speak to them they told me what they want for the area and they've highlighted much of the same stuff that other youths want or already have in other areas of the city.
"I want to see the redevelopment of the football pitch in the area because that is the number one priority for the youths in the area. We want to see a walkway installed between Tullyally and Ivy Mead, a bit like you have in the Drumahoe area.
"That way we could have the football pitch connected to the entire community rather than have it closed off. We can do that by having better greenways and roads.
"We need the football pitch to be maintained on a regular basis so that it's not left in a bad condition. We also want a muga-type pitch so that it can be used in hybrid conditions."
"I'll also be pushing for better floodlighting so that people will be able to use these facilities at night. We also need better parks for working class people in the area and their families," Cllr McCready added.
"The two parks in those areas at the minute need consolidated. It isn't feasible to have two parks in one area and what we need to do is come together and create a plan for a better facility that everyone can use.
"That's what needs to happen because if you don't do this properly then you're going to miss a good opportunity away. That's what happening with our young people. They currently feel like the politicians don't care, so why should they?
"These are genuinely nice young people who genuinely don't have anything to do. They aren't demanding these facilities, they are asking for them because they don't want to get dragged down the wrong path.
In March, members of Derry City and Strabane Council were unanimous in their support for a motion calling for the development of a master plan for Tullyally and Currynierin.
A spokesperson for the council said that a number of meetings had already been held with community representatives and local elected representatives to discuss a way forward and to identify "key actions and priorities".
They said: "Further meetings are scheduled to take place with a view to fully scoping out and costing any proposals before they can be brought before the Council’s Capital Working Group for consideration and budget approval.
" External funding opportunities would also be identified to assist with advancing with any Masterplan."
However, Cllr McCready said that he wanted to see progress made within the decade.
"These are areas that are usually only ever mentioned when there is bother and that's because one is unionist and the other is nationalist," he said.
"That's not right These are needed investments and they need it over the next five years and we need some of that funding to come through Stormont.
"That's why we need the institutions backing up and running as they should be because it's only the people that are suffering.
"We need to fix the fundamental issues between Tullyally and Currynierin because they've been let down. If we get this right then what we won't have is another person coming back in 20 years and seeing the two areas have been let down again.
"I'm not prepared to let that happen."
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