BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment also partipated in a study visit to Derry/Londonderry. The aim of the visit was to give the students an idea of how the historic city sits within the context of the ongoing development of the modern city. First the students visited the DOE Planning Headquarters where they were welcomed by Chief Planning Officer, Fiona McCandless. Senior Planner Graeme Walker showed the group the plans for redevelopment of the new Ebrington Square area of the city, an area recently donated by the British Army and which has been put to great use as an open-air venue during the City of Culture festivities in 2013. Graeme is a former student, having graduated with a National Diploma in Land Administration from Coleraine Technical College in 1994 and it was good for the students to hear some of his memories from his time at college.
The students then crossed the Peace Bridge and were taken on a guided walking tour of the walled City of Derry. During the tour, the students were given an insight into the history of the city and how it has developed over the past 300 years.
The trip was a great success and the course team look forward to developing greater links with DOE Planning Service over the next few years having been offered support by Mrs McCandless. The students will be able to use some of the information gained during the visit to help with the preparation of coursework in the next academic year.
