PLANS for a £12 million redevelopment of the iconic Carrybridge Hotel and Marina were given the green light by the planning committee of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council at a meeting yesterday.

The redevelopment of the hotel is a joint venture between the Crawford family, of Crawford Marina Ltd, and the Cassidy Hospitality Group. The two family businesses have been working in conjunction together on the development for some time.

The plans will overhaul the current facility, upgrading the hotel from 12 bedrooms to 60 bedrooms and offering all of the amenities now expected by modern hotel customers such as a restaurant, bar and function suite.

It is estimated that it will take 20 months to complete the facility redevelopment, and when it is in full operation there will be an estimated 100 jobs between full-time and part-time staff.

The plans for the Carrybridge Hotel and Marina have sparked great interest across Fermanagh.

Speaking about the need for the facility in the area earlier this year when a community consultation event was held, Ronnie Crawford said: “It is a much-needed facility and it is five minutes from Belfast road, and it is the nearest place to the Erne with full boating facilities.

“I would say that Carrybridge is the centre of boating on Lough Erne.”

Businessman Nicky Cassidy acknowledged the draw of a marina and hotel together.

He said: “It will attract visitors into the area. It is real nice to have the hotel with nice lake views, and to be able to come by boat and sit and have a coffee or drink.”