Belturbet Rectory for auction
€100,000 AMV on property overlooking River Erne
A historic Belturbet building and site, once earmarked for a boutique hotel and apartment complex, has been listed for sale at auction with a minimum market value of €100,000.
The Old Rectory, overlooking the River Erne, is one of only four properties listed for sale at the Dublin-based Wilson’s Auction, which is due to take place online, on Wednesday, May 12.
Described by the seller as a “really special property”, the Old Rectory, which is a protected structure, sits on a site of 1.574 hectares (3.8 acres) that once had plans for a multi-million euro, up-market hotel investment.
The Rectory property, otherwise known as Glebe House, has not been lived in for almost two decades and “requires refurbishment”. But the auctioneers say this gives the potential purchaser “great scope to put their own stamp on it”.
Built circa 1830, the detached neo classical, three-bay, two-storey, over-basement rectory with recessed centre bay played an important role in the social and religious history of Belturbet.
Domhnaill Small of Beauchamps at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay has carriage of the sale, which also sees the lands “sold as seen”.
There is no current planning permission in respect of the site, but it has an interesting planning history.
As far back as 2004, plans were submitted by then owners, former Belturbet Mayor Seamus Fitzpatrick and local developer Peter Maguire.
Mr Fitzpatrick, formerly Fine Gael, was first elected to the Town Council in 1999 and, after leaving the party, ran successfully as an Independent candidate.
At times controversial, Mr Fitzpatrick was strong-spoken on a number of issues during his political career. He hit out at delays to the construction of the Belturbet N3-bypass linked to the discovery of a rare species near Annagh Lough.
The local businessman described it as “lunacy” to look after moss and frogs before looking after the town. He also railed again what he perceived was the infraction of a ‘Dublin four set’ in dictating to him and other huntsmen going out on the high hills of Breifne for a good old tally-ho.
Mr Maguire, meanwhile, has notably been involved in the development of housing in the Belturbet and Milltown areas.
Their initial plan for the Old Rectory was to make additions and alterations to the existing listed building, to accommodate a reception, lounge, bar, bedrooms and stores, and provide eight additional rooms to the west, as well as a dining room and the kitchen to the east of the building.
Ultimately, the application was withdrawn little over seven months later, replaced the following year with plans to build 48 homes and still build a hotel.
This would include the construction of three blocks of apartments, three and four storeys in height.
The former rectory itself would be transformed into a hotel, as outlined in the previous set of plans. An existing outbuilding would have been demolished, with car parking, widening of existing access entrance and other ancillary site works included.
The application was granted, after further information was submitted, by Cavan County Council in July 2005, but subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
Mr Fitzpatrick had indicated at earlier public meetings the proposed hotel project would create substantial employment.
The appeal was made in the name of Oliver Donoghue and 40 others, including residents, and An Taisce, who argued the development would materially and adversely affect the character of the local area.
The Bord pointed out that the proposed site is located within a sensitive and historic environment, which includes Turbet Island and the River Erne.
The planning permission was overturned and the appeal upheld.