Plans lodged for 188 housing units in Letterkenny

Planning permission has been formally sought for a major housing development of 160 houses and 28 apartments in Letterkenny.

Developer PJ McDermott has applied for permission for the proposed development at Glencar Irish and Glencar Scotch. The planned residential development is on a 10.2-hectare site.

Documents lodged with Donegal County Council are for the second phase of a development and comes after the first phase, to consist of 90 residential unites and a crèche, was given conditional permission.

The second phase's 188 residential units would consist of: 64 four-bed semi-detached houses; 22 three-bed semi-detached houses; a further 40 three-bed semi-detached houses of different design; six three-bed terraced blocks to contain a total of 24 units; two two-bed terraced blocks; seven blocks of two-bed apartments to a total of 28 units; and two two-bed semi detached houses.

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The development would also consist of connections to piped services proposed as part of the phase one development.

The two phases would be connected via two proposed pedestrian and vehicular routes and would include a new vehicular entrance from The Grange and an internal distributor road that would provide future access to adjacent lands.

This, the developer says in the application would 'facilitate integration of the proposed development and future adjacent developments as well as facilitating future connection to the proposed upgraded Northern strategic link/Windyhall Road, bus stops, landscaped open spaces, play areas and planted boundary buffers.

A decision is due to be made by the local authority by July 13, 2023.

The first phase is pending an appeal that has been lodged to An Bord Pleanála.

The Old Glencar Road, Solomon's Grove and Upper Fernhill Residents Associations submitted an objection after Donegal County Council granted conditional planning permission for the development, attaching 34 conditions.

Residents say the proposed development would be 'grossly excessive'.

The residents group argue that the current infrastructure is incapable of dealing with the current traffic flow and would be under further strain with an additional volume.

Several existing houses in the surrounding areas have been blighted by defective blocks and residents note that they expect ‘considerable traffic disruption’ with planned remedial works on these buildings.

The residents have expressed the opinion that the developer ‘has clearly not shown any consideration for the established community through his failure to engage with us via a public consultation’.

They said: This suggests this proposal is a purely commercial venture to get every last Euro out of a valuable greenfield site and natural woodland. Proper consultation may have allayed some of our concerns.”

The case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanála by August, 2023.