The case is being made for Belleek to be given town status
A PROPOSAL set out by the new district council has been met with scepticism over who has the claim to be Fermanagh’s fourth town after it emerged that Belleek is in line to claim the title.
Famed for its pottery brand and cross-border trade, the village of Belleek could become Fermanagh’s next biggest ‘town’.
The north Fermanagh village has been selected as part of the newly amalgamated council plans to upgrade the status of settlements and villages.
The ‘settlement patterns’ report was prepared following a workshop during the summer which outlined what both the local councillors and planning service considered as the key features of a village, small settlement and dispersed rural community.
As well as water and sewerage facilities, a village is required to have a ‘recognisable core containing a small but good mix of shops and services,’ the presence of a primary school and church/community hall, good accessibility to larger towns and a workshop or business unit.
Small settlements are required to have a small rural cluster or crossroads development, a focal point for the community, the presence of a church or community building, a small convenience shop and access to water and sewerage disposal.
In addition to these, the council has also listed a number of proposed dispersed rural communities which have as characteristics, their remoteness, evidence of a community identity, activity associated with focal points such as a school or sports club, or shop, and an established dispersed pattern of settlement.
SDLP councillor for Belleek, John Coyle said the town status could safeguard local education and jobs.
“Belleek has been growing over recent years so it makes for a good case that it could be looked at as a potential of becoming a town,” he added.
“Omagh council area has three major towns as well as Omagh whereas Fermanagh has only two.
“The population could grow around the town, it could safeguard our local education and keep schools going. It’s been a good few years that the town’s boundary has been looked at. When the council takes over it will be councillors responsibility to make boundary changes.
“It could have the potential to make Belleek a more vibrant place. We get a cross-border trade so it makes it a good place to enhance its potential.”
However, given that in terms of population Derrylin is, in fact, Fermanagh’s fourth biggest settlement, a number of Derrylin businessmen feel that their village also has a strong potential of becoming a town.
Acting principal for St Aidan’s High School, Pat McTaggart and businessman, Pat Blake said there would be huge benefits of having Derrylin as a designated town.
“Derrylin is on the main Enniskillen to Dublin road and gets a huge amount of passing traffic,” Mr McTaggart explained.
“It’s a very busy place at the minute and there are certain benefits if it is a designated as a town.
“As a school we would be in favour of this as it is is an important and a key component to the village. Although I don’t know enough to having a town status, it sounds like it would certainly bring benefits to the area, especially if it meant bringing investment in to schools and businesses and promoting the area.”
A spokesman for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said an initial meeting on the settlements had taken place, but that the ultimate decision on their designation would rest with the planning service.
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