The long-running saga of what will happen to the historic Crumlin Road Courthouse took another turn this week.

The building has been purchased by property developer and Donegal Orange Order Grand Master, David Mahon.

Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s, Good Morning Ulster programme, Mr Mahon said the planning permission currently in place for a 55-bedroom hotel is not “viable at the minute financially.”

He said: “We’re meeting architects and we’re meeting consultants to see the best way forward and what would be viable at the site.”

Ideas such as a private hospital have also been floated, but Mr Mahon said he wants to see the “iconic building” put to “some sort of use.”

“It may be tourist focused but no decision has been made, we are still in the consultation process” he added.

Locals and tourists say they hope something can finally be done with the building, which one Belfast resident said has “endless possibilities” for development.

Luke Baird told BBC News NI the “historic value of this building is great”.

The courthouse closed in 1998, after nearly 150 years of use.

Since then various development plans have failed to get off the ground and the building has been damaged in a number of fires.

“This would be great if they keep the facade and turn it into a building similar like London with an open food space with offices,” said Mr Baird.

“The internal needs sorted without saying but it would obviously need a new roof. I think for historical value it needs to get restored.”

His partner, Hannah Rosenberg, said a hotel would be “very fitting with the old style building and modernised inside”.

Caroline Taylor, who lives in the area, said the most important thing was that the building was recovered and maintained.

“I think this building, the architecture is lovely and unique,” she told BBC News NI.

“Something needs put in place to make sure buildings purchased should be restored in a time frame after purchase.

“So many properties in Belfast are bought or perhaps knocked down and nothing done with it.

“I think there ought to be some rule if you buy something like this you must not leave it for years, it is an eye sore.”

The Crumlin Road is popular with visitors to the city, with tour buses often stopping at the former prison across the road from the courthouse.

Scott Hildd and his wife, Imeri, were admiring the building while on holiday from the United States.

“It will be interesting to see it renovated and restored back to the original way that it looked. It could be anything really,” he told BBC News NI.

“We have seen a lot of repurposed and refurbished buildings downtown; that can be inspiration for what this could be.”

Xiao Sun is touring around Northern Ireland and stopped at the courthouse to admire the building.

“I would love to see this as an museum or indoor exhibition the engineering of this building is Greek style it would suit the look of the building if they were to create something,” he said.

“A museum for peace would be great.

“It would attract more tourists around the area, or a hotel for tourists who are visiting Belfast – they could see the jail and the old courthouse at once.”