Appeal lodged against pub chain Letterkenny hotel and restaurant
Appeal lodged to An Coimisiún Pleanála against development linked to popular McCafferty’s Bar franchise
An appeal has been lodged to An Coimisiún Pleanála against the granting of planning permission by Donegal County Council to a company linked to a popular Donegal pub franchise, to change the use of three derelict Letterkenny houses to form a new hotel, restaurant and bar.
Voyage Inns Investment Ireland Limited was the listed applicant for the successful application, and is a company with a registered address at McCafferty’s Bar in Donegal Town.
Donegal County Council approved proposals in June, and an appeal was lodged by Gerard Convie, a former planner, in mid-July.
In the appellant's document were 17 points, detailing the grounds of appeal, including the matter of public notices, planning compliance, planning considerations, and parking.
It was argued that “the proposals demonstrate a lack of imagination and know-how in the development and redevelopment of street frontage and backlands in an existing Victorian era town, especially as it is our main town in the county.
“So much of our architectural heritage has been lost due to ill-informed and often lazy planning decisions, as, for example, in the catastrophe that is the Wolf Tone pub and apartment block at the bottom of Lower Main Street.”
The appellant contended that the “Planning Authority has rushed to judgement in its deliberations on the proposals in its haste to seemingly appease the Applicant or perhaps more senior personnel in the Authority, or to claim victory in achieving some of the aims and objectives of the various plans…, or perhaps even half-baked development like the current proposals, in order to boost income from rates or to be seen to be delivering jobs through planning decisions, has been the treatment of the archaelogical deficits in the proposals.”
Proposals that Donegal County Council approved are to be located at Lower Main Street in Letterkenny, between junctions to St Oliver Plunkett Road and Larkin’s Lane.
Plans were successfully submitted to Donegal County Council, which proposed the change of use of the existing derelict dwellings at 54, 58, and 62 Lower Main Street to form a new bar and restaurant area on the ground floor, with an associated office area on the first floor.
Furthermore, plans involve a construction to the rear of the premises containing a new restaurant, function room, toilet areas, stores and associated ancillary facilities.
Demolition of all outhouses and sheds located at the rear of the properties is planned to facilitate the new extension works.
The construction of a new standalone hotel building is planned, with all associated development works, provision of signage for both the new bar, restaurant and hotel buildings, and the formation of a new car parking area to serve the entire development.
A design statement from Cornerstone Associates, on behalf of the applicant, stated: “The proposed development represents a significant town regeneration opportunity and seeks to revitalise a currently underutilised and partially derelict urban site through the provision of a high-quality hospitality and tourism development.
“Extensive discussions and meetings have taken place with the Donegal County Council Planning Department and Regeneration Team throughout the evolution of the proposal. The design has been informed by the comments and recommendations received during this process.”
The statement concluded: “The development will provide substantial economic, social and visual benefits to the area through increased activity, employment generation, tourism accommodation and the enhancement of currently vacant and deteriorated properties.
“The proposal also supports the ongoing regeneration objectives for Lower Main Street and contributes positively to the long-term vitality and sustainability of Letterkenny town centre.”
Donegal County Council granted the proposal planning permission with 22 conditions, including a condition that the applicant shall contribute a payment of €253,389.53 in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefitting development in the area of the Planning Authority that is already provided or is intended to be provided by the Authority.”
An Coimisiún Pleanála has yet to announce a decision due date for the lodged appeal.