FERMANAGH District Council has high hopes for a public services hub based at the old Erne Hospital site, but to date it seems many of the government-run organisations it has tried to entice just aren’t as enthused by the project.

Earlier this year the Council had been applauded by the First and deputy First Ministers for their foresight in driving forward the project which was expected to be “an example which others will follow in the future”.

Discussing the plans at the Assembly, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness had explained work was underway on the site to procure demolition of existing buildings, to assess and deal with contamination, and to develop business cases as a prelude to the sale of the site by the Western Health and Social Care Trust.

Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness stated that the Executive’s Strategic Investment Board has provided a part-time Project Manger to co-ordinate the activities involved in the sale of the site and has part funded contamination reports.

“A Site Transfer Project Team has been established with representation from the Strategic Investment Board, the current owner of the site and those public sector organisations with an interest in acquiring or occupying the site,” they said.

The project is envisaged as developing on a ‘phased basis’ with anchor tenant, the South West College planned as being the first on site with a campus fit for the 21st century. Others such as the Jobs and Benefits office, Enniskillen library, the PSNI, the court service and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive have all been mooted as following thereafter.

The Council’s vision is that if all public sector offices in the town moved to the proposed hub, a potential 12.6 acres of land mass would be relocated, potentially freeing up sites throughout the town for commercial use. A footbridge parallel to the Johnson’s Bridge would connect the hub to the town centre.

Fermanagh District Council is hoping to purchase the site and either lease or sell to interested public sector parties.

But when the Impartial Reporter contacted these public services, only the Library responded positively towards the Council’s ambitious project.

“At this stage there is no plan for either the local Jobs and Benefits office or the NIHE to move to the old Erne Hospital site,” said a spokeswoman for the Department of Social Development.

The PSNI had a similar response: “There are currently no plans to relocate Enniskillen police station. This is not under consideration within the PSNI estate strategy, not least, due to budgetary constraints the PSNI work within, and the extensive forward planning which would be required. As a publicly funded organisation the PSNI keeps all of it’s resources under constant review and a rigorous process is in place to manage any change in PSNI estate. This process includes extensive consultation with both the public and with our political and statutory partners,” said it’s spokeswoman.

The Courts Service was more vague about its intentions for the future: “The Department of Justice is currently looking at accommodation requirements across the whole department. The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service accommodation needs are being considered as part of that wider programme of work. Specifics cannot be discussed at this stage.” Responding to a recent Assembly question, the Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín gave her assessment of the potential benefits of relocating Enniskillen Library to the old Erne Hospital site: “Libraries NI is currently developing a business case aimed at securing resources for the development of a new and improved public library in Enniskillen. The possibility of moving the existing branch library to the old Erne Hospital site and sharing with other public sector services, like South West Regional College, is being considered as an option in the appraisal process alongside other options such as redevelopment on the present site.

“While I consider there may be potential benefits to be gained from relocating Enniskillen Library to the old hospital site, it is not possible at this point to provide a full assessment of these as the business case is not yet completed. Moreover, any benefits that may be identified will need to be balanced against benefits that might emerge from other options including the library remaining at its present location,” she added.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) has plans to develop a new station at the old hospital site.

It is currently based there in temporary accommodation.

“The Trust has worked closely with Fermanagh District Council and the Western HSC Trust in the planning for development of the Erne site,” said a spokesman for the NIAS, “It is our wish to develop the proposed new station adjacent to the Fermanagh District Council Site and close to the original ambulance station.” Despite waning interest in the public services hub project, Acting Chief Executive for Fermanagh District Council, Robert Gibson, insists the process is “ongoing”.

“The Ambulance Service is retaining part of the site and the South West College has confirmed that it wishes to move to the site. The Council is in contact with other Public Service bodies regarding use of the site. The process is ongoing,” he said.