The Devenish College site at Derrychara
DESPITE ITS Close proximity to the South West College, director Malachy McAleer has ruled out Devenish College as a possible site for expansion.
With enabling works underway on the Tempo Road for a new school for Devenish questions are now being asked regarding the future of the Derrychara site.
Mr McAleer has said though the notion of developing the Devenish site is not on their radar. He told the Herald the move was ‘not likely’ as the college had gone on its own strategy for development, focusing its attention on the Killyhevlin Industrial Estate and Erne Hospital site, with demolition work underway at the latter.
“Recently we carried out a significant investment in the skills centre in the Killyhevlin Industrial Estate and that is mostly out of European funding. That is due to open in late December, early January. So that is where our entire skills training will be based and also our links with Queen’s University will be maintained at this site which offers very specialist training.
“Our two main sites are the Killyhevlin and the Erne. One is near enough completed and the other we’re hopeful will be advanced significantly with the demolition of the Erne Hospital.”
Mr McAleer stated that the former hospital site should be available for work to start from March 2015.
“Then we will be looking at starting work on our side of it. It is great news, it is great for the town, great for the region. It is very exciting,” he added.
Chairman of the Board of Governors at Devenish College Alex Baird believes the school would be a prime site for housing, rather than a new home for South West College.
“The South West College is looking at being the anchor tenant on the former hospital site and that needs development. It’s purely a personal view, but I would have thought that area is more suitable to housing and it would be a prime site. Money is tight, I don’t mind what it is developed as, as long as Devenish goes ahead, that’s our prime focus.”
His view is shared by local estate agent Niall Smyth of Smyth, Leslie & Co. He said that the ‘prime piece of real estate’ could be turned into a mixed development, but in all likelihood it was best suited for residential use, in an attractive area of Enniskillen close to town centre amenities.
“There is of course the possibility of a mixed development, but with the trends in Algeo Drive this is one of the most sought after residential areas in the town. As a result of that I believe its future is in residential development.
“The major thing in that area of the town is that ever since the foot bridge was built at the Lakeland Forum we have noticed a big increase in demand due to the easy access to the town. People are into the idea of walking into town and appreciate the nice view of the town. No question, it would be an excellent residential site and I imagine it would do very well.”
He stated his belief that using the site for educational purposes again would present difficulties, with the issue of playing fields and disability provisions a concern for any future builds.
“It doesn’t lend itself to anything other than potential residential sites in my view.”
He added: “I think any agent in the town would be delighted to be involved in it. It is a site seen from various points of the town and is certainly well situated. It would be a very much sought after location if it ever was to come on the market.”
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