Greater Shantallow Area Partnership was appointed in 2007 and continue to discharge a support / secretariat role for the Outer North Neighbourhood Partnership. This ‘Secretariat’ role allows for the employment of staff to facilitate the work of the ONNP and for Neighbourhood Renewal administrative functions as required.
About Neighbourhood Renewal
Neighbourhood Renewal aims to reduce the social and economic inequalities which characterise the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland. It does so by making a long term commitment to communities to work in partnership with them to identify and prioritise needs and co-ordinate interventions designed to address the underlying causes of poverty. Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships were established as representative of local community interests together with appropriate Government Departments, Public Sector Agencies, Private Sector interest and local elected representatives. There are 36 NRPs across Northern Ireland.
About Outer North Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership (ONNP)
The Outer North Neighbourhood Renewal Area is primarily made up of 4 wards / estates – Carnhill, Galliagh, Shantallow and Skeoge. The Shantallow estate was built in the mid-1960s followed by Carnhill and Galliagh in the early 1970s. The Skeoge area has seen several thousand homes developed since the early 2000s. The Outer North Neighbourhood Partnership was established in 2005 to oversee the development and delivery of ‘Neighbourhood Renewal’ within the Outer North area, an area comprising a population of over 18,000 residents in 2026, by focusing on community, economic, social and physical regeneration. It also acts in an advisory role to the Department for Communities for delivery of the ‘People & Place’ Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy and Programme.
The remit of the Outer North Neighbourhood Partnership is to focus on identifying local priorities through its Neighbourhood Action Plan(s) and work to influence and contribute to the determining of Government spending priorities for the Outer North neighbourhood. It acts as a vehicle for local planning and implementation. It is through the ownership and management of Neighbourhood Action Plans that the ONNP is able to influence budgetary decision making. The aim of the ONNP is “To help close the gap between the quality of life for people in our most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society”.
Action Plans identify priority needs to be addressed to ensure people living in the Outer North Neighbourhood Renewal Area have access to the best possible services and to opportunities which make for a better quality of life, better prospects and the creation of a safer environment for themselves and their families.
Since 2005 a diverse range of projects have been delivered across the area under the remit of community, social, economic and physical renewal. These projects have been developed in such a way that they address the issues of disadvantage whilst at the same time encouraging as much direct input from local people as possible. Across the partnership local community organisations are responsible for “on the ground” delivery of services with support and guidance from the ONNP. The Partnership is also heavily involved in liaising with statutory agencies, the private sector and local government to influence and encourage their involvement in the future development of the area.
Community Planning is a significant collective strategy led by Derry City & Strabane District Council, giving people a greater say in how services are delivered in their local area. ONNP have been a key contributor to this process and to the Strategic Growth Plan for Derry & Strabane, as well as the production of a Local Growth Plan for the Ballyarnett District Electoral Area (which aligns geographically with the Outer North NRA). The roles of the Outer North Neighbourhood Partnership and Ballyarnett DEA Local Growth Partnership have been largely aligned and this has resulted in joint meetings to deliver the common renewal / regeneration agenda.
The Department for Communities Neighbourhood Renewal Programme in Derry targets four designated urban areas with high social and economic disadvantage: Outer North, Outer West, Triax & the Waterside. For more information :- https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/topics/neighbourhood-renewal
Community planning in Derry is led by the Derry City and Strabane District Council alongside local communities and public bodies. Its main guide is the Inclusive Strategic Growth Plan, targeting a sustainable and prosperous region by 2032 through local growth partnerships. For more info :- https://www.derrystrabane.com/community/community-planning
Area Profile
Specific need within the Outer North NRA is continuously evidenced by a range of Government statistical reports and local surveys which identify the scale and level of social, economic, community and physical disadvantage experienced by households / residents living in Outer North.
Many of our families experience a wide range of complex and inter-connected problems, from economic inactivity, family breakdown, higher than average crime/ anti-social behaviour, low aspirations and youth disillusionment, problems with quality and maintenance of the environment, significant health inequalities, lack of inward investment & fragmentation of services.
Economic hardship compounds these pressures. The Derry City and Strabane District Council area exhibits the highest economic inactivity in NI, with the lowest per capita disposable income. Many residents rely on low-wage employment or benefits. The Cost-of-Living Crisis, rising fuel prices, and post-pandemic funding constraints have intensified financial stress, debt, mental health challenges, and demand for local support services.
Health inequalities are acute, with above-average rates of smoking, substance misuse, obesity, self-harm, and suicide. Education and skills gaps hinder employability and participation, reinforcing intergenerational poverty. Inadequate amenities, insufficient sports facilities, and fragmented infrastructure further exacerbate social isolation.
Sustained, long-term investment and cross-sector collaboration are essential to address entrenched disadvantage, strengthen services, improve health and education outcomes, enhance community safety, and build resilience.
Statistical Reports and specific Research Papers to follow ….
Local Heritage
Our collective ‘Heritage’ generates a sense of belonging and pride in the community. GSAP and its partners have shone a light on the rich and varied range of heritage assets which are currently present, but which are either often over-looked, under-appreciated or simply unrecognised. Much of our heritage is of regional and global significance.
By engaging with and involving local communities we have been raising awareness about, celebrating local history, and opening up local heritage landscapes… GSAP and partners have been promoting a better understanding and appreciation of our local heritage, interpreting a range of heritage assets and stories, improving public accessibility to heritage assets, marshalling resources to enhance the physical appearance and character of our assets.
The heritage of the Greater Shantallow area is rich and varied, spanning ancient Neolithic settlements, 16th and 17th century periods of the Plantation and Siege, 18th-century sporting events, critical World War II military operations, and a rapid 20th-century transition from a quiet rural community into a bustling urban hub.
Derived from the Irish Seantalamh, meaning “old land,” the area historically formed the core of the “Middle Liberties” or “North-West Liberties” outside Derry’s historic city walls.
We have built up an extensive archive of local material (storyboards, photos, interviews, transcripts, interpretative panels, digitised resources etc…) and are happy to share this, particularly for educational purposes. Please contact us on Tel: 028 7135 8787 or Email: darren@shantallow.net
