Conditional permission granted for second phase of Letterkenny housing development

Conditional lanning permission for phase two of a controversial major residential development in Letterkenny has been granted by Donegal County Council.

The first phase of the development at Glencar Irish and Glencar Scotch remains subject to an appeal that is currently with An Bord Pleanála.

Donegal County Council has granted permission, subject to 37 conditions laid down, for the phase two development, which was sought by developer PJ McDermott.

Some 62 of the 188 housing units included in the application are to be omitted from the development and no development is to take place on these sites without a further grant of planning permission

The developer applied for the construction of 160 houses and 28 apartments, which were to be included in seven separate apartment blocks.

The application was for: 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.

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

The Old Glencar Road, Solomon's Grove and Upper Fernhill Residents Associations submitted an objection to Donegal County Council.

Local residents expressed concern as they point out that funding for the Windyhall Link Road has been withdrawn.

In a previous objection to phase one, residents called the proposed development '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 first phase, to consist of 90 residential unites and a crèche, was also given conditional permission by the Council, but the planning body is still to rule following the lodgement of an objection by residents.

The two phases, should they proceed, 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.

Among the conditions set down by the local authority is that the dwellings shall be used as permanent houses and apartments and shall not be used for the purposes of holiday homes.

Construction must only take place from 8am-6pm on Monday-Friday, from 8.30am-3pm on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays, Bank Holidays and Public Holidays.

The developer must submit full details of a proposed pedestrian link to Fairgreen Hill before commencement of development and it should be constructed and completed prior to first occupancy.

The developer is to pay an amount of 239,146.74 to facilitate the provision of capital works and must also pay 630,000 to the Planning Authority as a special contribution under the Planning Development Act 2000 in respect of part completion of the Northern Strategic Link (Windyhall Road), which will facilitate the development.

An agreement must be entered with the planning authority that restricts all residential units permitted to first occupation by individual purchasers – those not being a corporate entity, and/or by those eligible for the occupation of social and/or affordable housing, including cost rental housing.