ILEX - The Urban Regeneration Company
Ilex - the Urban Regeneration Company for the Derry City Council Area
Quercus ilex is the classical Latin name for the evergreen oak, - a metaphor for strength and durability, and for growth and development. The oak leaf has long been a symbol of Derry~Londonderry, and indeed, the city's name is derived from the Irish Doire meaning an oak grove surrounded by water. The name "ilex" was chosen with care to reflect our strength of purpose.
Ilex Urban Regeneration Company Ltd (Ilex) has been established by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) and the Department for Social Development (DSD) in Northern Ireland to promote the social and economic regeneration of the Derry City Council area.
The Company works at 'arms length' from our parent Government Departments, operating like a private sector concern, yet we have the ability to call upon the Departments for endorsement of regeneration projects and their statutory powers to aid this work.
Ilex is responsible for creating imaginative, dynamic and achievable strategic objectives for the Derry City Council area. It will draw up and deliver a pragmatic, long term flexible Regeneration Framework and Implementation Plan which will address and improve the social, economic physical and environmental conditions in the Derry City Council area. The Implementation Plan will be results-oriented and be based firmly upon achievable investment strategies targeted at the private, public and social economy sectors.
