Planning permission has been confirmed for the development of the futuristic new buidling on the site of the old Erne Hospital. The new campus is set to open in two years, and the £24.6 million investment will create a modern college, kitted out with cutting-edge technology and a capacity for 7,000 full time and part time students.

The SWC will now move from the Gaol Square area of Enniskillen, to the old Erne Hospital site, which will rejuvenate the historic site. 

 Local Councillor Debbie Coyle believes the new SWC will benefit the town, but is worried that increased traffic around the new site may cause issues.

 ”I believe the new college will be a great asset to Enniskillen especially for the young people and also older people returning to education. I would like to see more courses for those who may not have done so well at school or fell out of the education system and those who choose to carry on learning. 

“I would also like to see more degree subjects offered so less young people have to go away,” she added.

“I do not think the move of the college will have a negative effect on businesses in Enniskillen especially with the footbridge over to the town. The new building will be in a good location, but my only concern will be the traffic management. It will be very important to get that right,” concluded Debbie Coyle.

The ambitious plans will see SWC achieve a major advancement for the North’s Construction Industry, by developing a new building of this scale to an environmental and energy standard entitled PassivHaus Premium. 

When complete, the new campus will probably be the first non-domestic building to achieve this status globally, ranking it with prestigious buildings such as the Apple Campus 2 in terms of innovation and design.

Carol Viney, Enniskillen campus manager, spoke of her great satisfaction at reaching this milestone: 

“Staff have been totally involved and enthused by the design process – within a futuristic building, we are planning classrooms of the future. This process has been demanding but rewarding. Now, we can start planning around business change as we move towards D-Day when we enter the new Campus; two years is a short period of time to prepare.”