The former South West College site in the centre of Enniskillen could soon be redeveloped into a hotel under plans by its new owner.
The Byrne family, which owns the Modern Tyres business, acquired the former Fairview campus complex last year.
Their regeneration proposal comprises a mixed use scheme featuring offices and retail space.
The main college building, which closed in 2021, has been a feature of the Co Fermanagh town’s skyline since it opened in 1971.
The 3.4-acre site on Dublin Road, which includes 125,000 sq ft of floor space in total across a number of buildings, went on the market in late 2022.
A former jail and library, both of which are listed, are also on the site.
The Byrnes have now entered the planning process in a bid to redevelop the former campus.
A proposal of application notice (PAN) was submitted to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council earlier this week.
A PAN, which is required for major developments, involves a community consultation process ahead of the submission of a full planning application.
While the plans are at an early stage, the outline proposal includes a refurbishment of the college building for use as a hotel, offices and a retail unit.
The demolition of buildings and the construction of a standalone retail unit is also part of the proposal.
The total floor space of the new scheme is estimated to be around 77,000 sq ft.
More details of the plans are due to be presented by the architect and planning consultant during an event at the former college campus building on September 11 (2pm – 7pm).
Founded in Co Fermanagh during 1965 by Dublin-native Jimmy Byrne, Modern Tyres has grown into the island’s largest retail tyre company.
The all-island business is now run by Mr Byrne’s sons Connor, Rory, Shane and Niall, following his death in 2022.
The latest accounts for the Modern Tyres Ltd show it recorded a turnover of £50.6 million in 2022, producing a pre-tax profit of £3.2m.
