Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) have delayed making a decision on the next step in the future development of the Necarne Estate.

At the monthly Policy and Resources Committee meeting, Councillors were asked to support recommendations to agree to the Heads of Terms for the Necarne lease with Gardrum Holdings
Limited and delegates Council officers to progress with development of full lease agreement and completion of financial due diligence work; agree to grant access to Gardrum Holdings Limited to complete studies to enable development of planning application, subject to agreement of CAFRE (DAERA) and authorise officers to engage with CAFRE (DAERA) to agree suitable terms for the termination of the Necarne lease arrangement with CAFRE (DAERA), subject to signing of suitable alternative lease arrangement terms. 

In discussions which lasted over two hours, many issues were raised about certain aspects of the Heads of Terms and the ambiguity around the detail in the paper, with one bone of contention being the length of the lease term of 99 years.

The proposal to agree to the recommendations, which was proposed by Councillor David Mahon and seconded by Councillor Diana Armstrong was defeated.

A second proposal was then put forward by Councillor Mary Garrity and seconded by Councillor Barry Doherty proposing that Council Officers liaise with Gardrum members and let them know the committee was not happy with the detail in the Heads of Terms and therefore require more detail and for this to be brought back to Council to decide on Heads of Terms and the April sitting of the Council.

FODC Chief Executive Brendan Hegarty told Councillors they would try and get more detail back to them in April or as quickly as they could.

In response to the meeting held on Wednesday, a FODC statement said: "Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is currently working through a lengthy and robust process regarding proposals for the lease of the Necarne Estate in Irvinestown.  The Council is committed to achieving a long term sustainable use for the Necarne Estate that will bring social, economic and environmental benefits to Irvinestown and the wider district and issued an open public 'Expression of Interest' invitation for proposals for the lease of the Estate in July 2016 on this basis.

"Following assessment and due diligence, it was concluded that the proposal submitted by Gardrum Holdings Ltd was the most realistic and achievable, offered the best potential for long term sustainability and that the company had the necessary funds to invest in the proposal.

"The Gardrum Holdings Ltd proposal is to create a sustainable, multi-purpose tourism and leisure destination to include a holiday retreat with a range of accommodation; outdoor activities; enhanced walkways and cycle paths; an equestrian trail; events space and the re-instatement of Necarne lake to be developed over a phased basis subject to obtaining the necessary statutory consents. The Estate will also remain open to the public as is currently the case under the existing lease arrangements.

"The proposal, if delivered, has the potential to transform the Estate - which has been underutilised under the current lease arrangements since 2012 - into one which through substantial private investment attracts visitors and employment and preserves and enhances the heritage and natural environment to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

"In November 2018 the Council engaged with the local Irvinestown community regarding the Gardrum Holdings Ltd proposal for the Necarne Estate. The proposal was welcomed by the members of the local Irvinestown community present and general community feedback has been largely positive. 

"Most recently the Council has been negotiating with Gardrum Holdings Ltd through legal representatives to develop a draft 'Heads of Terms' which sets out the main issues relevant to the proposed lease.  An update on these negotiations and draft 'Heads of Terms' was considered by the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee on Wednesday 13 February 2019. The Council has requested further detail on aspects of the 'Heads of Terms' for the lease and a report will be brought back to the Council as soon as possible, with a target date of April. The Council will continue to liaise with Gardrum Holdings Ltd to develop the lease terms in more detail for consideration by the Council."