Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is up against some strong competition as The Workhouse Enniskillen is shortlisted for the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Northern Ireland Award for Planning Excellence, alongside Game of Thrones Studio Tour and Supplementary Planning Guidance by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

The RTPI NI Awards for Planning Excellence celebrates outstanding plans, projects and people that demonstrate the power of planning.

These awards highlight exceptional examples of how planning and planners have a positive impact on the quality of life in creating exceptional places and protecting the environment.

The Council purchased the former Workhouse Entrance Block building in May 2015, it had been vacant for some time and was in a poor state of repair. The building is grade B2 listed and was on the Built Heritage at Risk Northern Ireland Register.

The Workhouse was sympathetically restored and brought back to life to create flexible and dynamic workspaces, while ensuring the story of the Workhouse and the lives of those associated with it are preserved and retold.

The project was made possible by funding received from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, together with match funding contributions from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and South West College.

Kim McLaughlin, Director of Regeneration and Planning, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council commented: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted in recognition of the outstanding preservation and renovation of the Workhouse, showcasing a remarkable transformation. This news stands as a testament to the hard work and dedication of our remarkable project team."

Paul McDermott MRTPI, Lead Planner, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said: “In terms of planning, this was a good example of what planning is about, place making; it was the right proposal in the right place and was driven by community involvement and community need, with all parties working together to ensure the best possible scheme could be delivered.”

Regional shortlisted projects and individuals will attend the RTPI Welcome Celebration Event on June 15 in the Ulster Museum, Belfast; where recognition to the planners and teams who have delivered such inspiring work this past year and the Northern Ireland winner will be announced.