Sometimes I get a bit resentful when I hear people who haven’t lived here for years pontificating about how we should live our lives now.

They loved this place so much they left and now they say this is where they’re from so they know what they’re talking about.

Well I stayed so I know things are here now, don’t sit at a safe distance and tell us how to run our lives, I’m thinking in my head.

Then again, I do understand the nostalgia for home, for the place one grew up in, best summed up by Billy Connolly speaking of his love of Glasgow, the memories it gave him and the affection he retains for his city even though he moved away and became a citizen of the world.

“There’s always been a string in my heart that I’m glad pulls me back to where I’m from, to all the things that made me, good and bad,” he said.

Anyone who left Enniskillen many years ago and not returned would notice major change in our home town if they returned now.

The outline of the streetscape means there is a similarity to years ago, and the island nature of the town and the water still make it marvellously scenic. A couple of times in the last week, I took a walk around the new pathway around the island (sorry, I can’t get used to boulevard) from opposite Iceland, along the Forum and on to the Castle. It’s a great facility.

Within that structure of my home town, however, there have been massive developmental changes and, of course, change can be good and some can be bad.

This month, Fermanagh and Omagh Council gave planning approval for a new retail park on the site of the old Unipork factory on the Cornagrade Road, and I think this will change the face of Enniskillen for ever.

It is a development which will have more impact on Enniskillen than any other that I have seen in my lifetime; and considering that I was born in the town in the 1950s, with all the modernisation and progress that have happened in those decades, the fact that I think that this development will have an impact greater than any other is extremely significant.

The question that is dividing opinion is whether this will be good or bad for the town. And it deserves much serious consideration by everyone with an interest in the greater good and the long-term future of this historic place.

In preparing to give a talk recently, I took a little mental trip down memory lane to consider some of the differences in Enniskillen compared with the time I grew up and I realised there have been so many.

Some younger people were quite surprised to hear that in my youth there was only one bridge at the west end of town coming in and out from Portora and the Sligo Road. Where on earth would we be without the 'new' bridge at the Castle, or indeed the throughpass road; all very necessary for a modern town?

Imagine no Lakeland Forum, Erneside or Ardhowen Theatre.

When I was a boy, the Erne Hospital hadn’t even been built, yet after nearly half a century of service it’s gone to be replaced by a fabulous new SWAH. Likewise the old Tech, made way for the multi-storey Fermanagh College, itself now making way for the fantastic new College.

Remember, this has all happened in my lifetime…….and I’m not that old!

All these changes have been magnificent as generations of athletes, shoppers, theatre-goers, students and patients will testify.

The business life of the town has also changed, and from having small grocery shops like Chambers in East Bridge Street, O’Reilly’s in Townhall Street and Elliott’s in Darling Street, we now have an array of supermarkets, Dunnes, Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Iceland and more.

Some may hanker for the smaller, more personal, little shops but we’re well served now and in addition these are the sort of multiples which bring visiting trade, and jobs, to Enniskillen. Things move on.

There are negatives. Seeing many of the old photos of 'the streets' between the Cathedral hall and the police station reminds me of the way planners denuded the town of homes. Not just there, but at Market Street around the Buttermarket, Eden Street where Snackz is, Wellington and the Broadmeadow along where the throughpass now runs; all these homes, admittedly in a disgraceful condition, demolished in the name of progress.

But progress meant building estates on the outskirts and denuding the town centre of residents.

Just a couple of generations ago, Enniskillen town largely consisted of the island area packed with homes, shops, offices and so on. Enniskillen is now a much bigger entity, including geographically. Where is the town now, where does it begin and end? I’m sure if you asked anyone in Hillview, for example, if they lived in the town they would claim they did; certainly not outside Enniskillen.

As much as I loved the home town of my youth, it’s a far bigger and better town now. The success of Enniskillen throughout all the change, though, still has the centre, the island at its heart, with its rich cultural history and interesting places to visit, the family-owned shops, places to eat and drink and, of course, the friendly welcoming nature of the people.

It is this unique character that many of us townies worry may be lost. That must not happen; we must preserve it for future generations as the asset it undoubtedly is.

I fully understand the arguments for approving the new Lakeland Retail Park, with the huge investment in leisure and retail facilities which will not only bring jobs and investment to Enniskillen, but could attract many visitors too.

It remains to be seen if the battle is totally won yet, with talk of a judicial review. The arguments over planning decisions, and who is best qualified to take them, will be well rehearsed. And, I have to say, while I understand the social media comments welcoming the development, it’s also disappointing to see people dismissed town centre concerns.

I’d hate to see a situation where visitors just drive to Lakeland Retail Park and drive home again without taking in the joys of the town centre. At some point, all the advantages of Enniskillen should be linked and marketed together. A day out with the Retail park in the morning, the town centre in the afternoon perhaps?

The changes I’ve mentioned above over the years show that development and progress can be good, but if not handled properly can be damaging too.

Whether it eventually gets the go-ahead, though, those in authority must show much, much more imagination and creative thinking with a long-term plan to rejuvenate the town centre of Enniskillen. This is something that has been sadly lacking and it’s starting to show with too many empty units and sites for example. It’s a town centre worth preserving.

The public realm scheme is continuing to install new footpaths and other features in the town; again welcome even if we sometimes get the feeling that the 'experts' don’t take local feelings into account enough to ensure features such as the Diamond retain its historical context.

I understand the likes of Enniskillen BID engages in initiatives to boost town centre business, for example, and while that is very welcome what I’m talking about is much bigger-picture thinking which has been sadly absent by the authorities for generations.

As I often say, Enniskillen is the 'town I love so well' and I want it to continue to be a thriving, wonderful town to be proud of.