A Council Community Information event, hosted by the Irvinestown Trustee Enterprise Company Limited, which will brief the public on the future proposals for Necarne and give people the opportunity to submit views and comments is being held tonight (Thursday) November 8 at 7pm in the ARC Healthy Living Centre.

Discussions on transforming the Necarne Estate in Irvinestown have been ongoing between Gardrum Holdings Ltd, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Department of Communities Historic Environment Division (Buildings) on how to transform the site.

At the last meeting in July of this year, Gardrum were asked to set out a plan for short, medium and long term use of the estate.

During year one and two, the company’s plan is to improve footpaths and walkways, create new cycle paths and equestrian trail, improve estates buildings, promote the estate as an event space; develop the Castle Courtyard, introduce a touring Caravan site and submit a planning application for a holiday retreat.

During year three, four and five the company plans to begin construction of a holiday retreat to include new build lodges in key areas and redevelopment of the existing stable block, the establishment of family activities including archery, mountain bike hire, canoeing; the establishment of a cafe onsite and construction of Necarne Lake.

For the long term, after year five, the company will look to growing the holiday retreat, promote the Castle refurbishment and examine the potential for a specialist respite facility or nursing home.

A representative from Gardrum Holdings is due to be at the meeting.

Local campaign group ‘Saving Necarne’ has urged the local community to attend the meeting in force. In a lengthy statement posted on their Facebook page, they urge people to “attend the meeting, decide for yourself of course, but we urge you to and make sure the Council records your objections”.

The local campaign group is opposed to Necarne being used for commercial gain and wants to see the restoration of the old Castle and not just the grounds of the estate.

The statement on Facebook says: “The only thing that matters is exactly what terms the council are going to put in the lease.”

‘Saving Necarne’ is calling for the Council to consider using Necarne for purposes which would “allow for the castle to be given the best chance of surviving.”

“If you care about Necarne, and rare important heritage, if you care about public accountability, openness and transparency, and if you care about meeting the needs of all the community, then it is vital that you attend on Thursday night,” continued the statement.

“Let the Council know that Necarne is the Castle, and the Castle is Necarne. Tell them that the estate needs the castle, and the castle needs the estate.”

A spokesperson for the Council, responding to why the meeting is taking place said: “In 2017, the Council made a commitment to carry out a public engagement in relation to Necarne and the purpose of this meeting is to provide a briefing on the future proposals for the Estate and to take views or comments.

“The proposals are seeking to create a sustainable, multi-purpose tourism and leisure destination, comprising a holiday retreat with a range of outdoor activities, enhanced walkways and cycle paths and events space developed over a phased basis.

“These proposals are subject to various statutory approvals but they have been purposefully designed to accommodate existing events and users and address key priorities in the Community Plan for the District, to ensure a successful outcome for stakeholders.”