THE OWNERS of the derelict Railway Hotel in Enniskillen have revealed they are “preparing a planning application” for the historic building.
However, they added they are currently unable to carry out any work on the once much-loved institution until their insurance claim following last year’s devastating fire is processed.
Back in September last, a huge blaze tore through the former hotel building on Forthill Street in Enniskillen, with police stating afterwards they were treating the incident as arson.
It was the second fire in a year on the site, which has been on sale for £750,000 for several years now, with a smaller fire damaging the building the previous March, which was also believed to have been started deliberately.
Since September’s fire, the remaining shell of the building has been blocked off with shipping containers, creating a hazard for pedestrians and prompting complaints from the public that it is now an eyesore on the approach to the county town centre.
Last month, Fermanagh and Omagh Council wrote to David Mahon, the owner of the hotel, “regarding the poor condition and appearance of the building” and to highlight “the significance of the building on a main approach to the town centre.”
In his prompt reply, due to be delivered at the May meeting of the Council last night (Tuesday), Mr Mahon gave an update on the current status of the building.
“Please be advised that we are currently in the process of preparing a planning application,” he said.
“However, we are unable to undertake any works on the building until our ongoing insurance claim has been resolved.”
Mr Mahon, whose son also named David is a DUP councillor, added he would keep the Council updated on any developments and make contact again “once the matter progresses further.”
A director at Union Arch Properties, which owns commercial retail interests worth more than £4.6m, and Grand Master of the Donegal Grand Orange Lodge, Mr Mahon had long indicated his plans to demolish and redevelop the old hotel.
“For the time being all we can do is keep the place sealed up before we get planning permission for it and start on a new build,” he told the ‘Herald, following the first fire on the site in March 2023.
“It’s early days yet what exactly the new building will be. We have to get the planning permission through first.”
Speaking again the following August fire, regarding the building being put on the market, Mr Mahon told the Herald, “We already have a few interested parties for the building and we are hoping to get planning permission passed for it fairly soon.”
The renowned property has been derelict since the hotel closed its doors in 2013.
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