Necarne Castle and Estate
THE DEVELOPMENT of the Necarne into a new holiday village will see a new lake being dug on the historic estate, and it may also see the castle itself turned into a nursing home.
In recent months it has emerged it could take years for the historic estate outside Irvinestown to be developed. Now a timeline has been published showing a breakdown of what work will be done and when.
According to the report published by owners Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, over the next one to two year the aim is to make general improvements to the estate.
This includes improving footpaths and walkways, creating new cycle paths and an equestrian trail, making general improvements to the estate buildings, and developing the castle courtyard.
The estate will also be promoted as an event space over the next couple of years, and developers Gardrum plan to submit their planning application for a holiday retreat within this time frame too.
In the medium term, over the next three to five years, the construction of the holiday retreat is expected to begin.
This will include building new lodges in key areas and the redevelopment of existing stable block, the establishment of family activities including archery, mountain bike hire and canoeing, and the opening of a cafe.
According to the Council’s report, over the next few years construction will also begin on the new Necarne Lake.
In the longer term, of five years or more, the developers plan to grow the holiday retreat, promote the castle refurbishment.
They also plan to examine its potential for a specialist respite facility and possibly a nursing home in the building.
Gardrum have given the Council assurances that access to the estate would be kept for local users and have said they’ll even improve access.
So far Gardrum have spent over £40,000 developing its proposals, and have budgeted an annual sum of £150,000 to maintain and service the current estate, in addition to its £20,000 rent on the property. The development of the holiday retreat would require a significant capital investment.
The Council have recommend extending the lease for the estate to Gardrum in the long term, subject to the company adhering to its lease terms and taking part in further community engagement.
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