A PROPOSAL of application notice (PAN) submitted to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council earlier this week has revealed the former South West College site in Enniskillen is planned to be redeveloped into a hotel.
The regeneration proposal by the Byrne family, who acquired the former Fairview campus complex last year and own the Modern Tyres business, was submitted on Monday and comprised a mixed-use scheme featuring offices and retail space.
Plans are at an early stage, but the outline proposal includes a refurbishment of the college building for use as a hotel, offices and a retail unit.
The demolition of buildings and the construction of a standalone retail unit is also part of the proposal. The total floor space of the new scheme is estimated to be around 77,000 sq ft.
A PAN, which is required for major developments, involves a community consultation process ahead of the submission of a full planning application.
The former college site has been vacant since July 2021 and was put up for sale by leading property agents Lisney after the opening of the college’s new Erne campus on the Cornagrade Road.
Since its opening in September 1971, Enniskillen Technical College was known as an iconic feature, that transformed the Enniskillen skyline. Although many of the buildings and communities surrounding it have witnessed dramatic changes, the building has been a constant focal point for the county town.
As well as the former college, the large site comprises several existing buildings, extending to 125,000 sq ft, including a former jail and library (both of which are listed buildings).
The former Fairview site also benefits from good access to public transport links and is near all local amenities, schools and healthcare facilities.
Founded in the mid-1960s by Dublin native Jimmy Byrne, Modern Tyres has gone from strength to strength over the years and now has 40 depots across Ireland employing several hundred people, including a network of fast-fit centres, an alloy wheel wholesale company and a tyre wholesale company.
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