The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is finalising its consideration as to whether or not to call in the planning application for the Lakelands Retail and Leisure Park at the old Unipork site on the Cornagrade Road.

The Planning Committee of Fermanagh and OMagh Distirct Council approved the planning application following a split vote in June, with the planning chair casting the deciding vote.

However, in July DfI wrote to the Council telling them not to grant the permission as it wanted time to consider whether or not the proposed development raises issues that require the application to be referred to it for further consideration and determination.

In a statement to The Impartial Reporter, a DfI spokesperson said: “The Department is currently finalising its consideration as to whether or not application LA10/2019/1392/F should be referred to it for determination and hopes to provide a response to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council in relation to this matter as soon as possible. Until then the ‘holding’ direction issued to the council on June 24, 2021 will remain in place.”

There is a difference of opinion as to whether or not the development would be a positive or negative move for the town. Many have welcomed the decision to grant planning permission for the retail park, which will bring The Range and Tim Horton’s to Fermanagh, and would be a welcome boost for jobs and investment in the county.

However, others believe the development would prove the death of the town centre and some businesses there.

If the Department does decide to call in the application, then DfI will become the decision maker but at the moment the jurisdiction for the decision remains with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

Information released by DfI revealed a Belfast law firm was instructed by one of the objectors to the retail park, Station Green Enniskillen Limited, to bring the application to the attention of the Department.