New planning permission application for 260 unit development in Letterkenny

Planning permission is being sought from Donegal County Council for a large-scale residential development consisting of 260 residential units, a large shop, and a creche in Letterkenny. 

The applicant, PJ McDermott, has had previous issues securing planning permission for large-scale developments at the site, located at Glencar Irish and Glencar Scotch to the northwest of Letterkenny.

An Coimisiún Pleanála had previously overturned a Donegal County Council decision in June 2024 to grant planning permission for 180 residential units, including 156 houses and eight apartment blocks to be built over ten years at the site. 

The latest application consists of plans for 260 residential units, comprising 90 dwellings, 10 duplex units containing 10 apartments and 10 dwellings, 150 apartments, a neighbourhood centre containing an 800 square metre retail shop, and a 536 square metre creche with associated car parking. 

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All associated site works will include two proposed vehicular accesses, including pedestrian and cycle access from the L1174-1 local road, and connection to all public services, foul and storm sewers, and water mains. 

Landscaped open spaces, children’s soft play area, a multi-use games area, bus stops, footpaths, cycle paths, carparking, and all associated site development works and infrastructure, and services are included in the application. 

Harley Planning Consultants Ltd, in the application said that Donegal County Council issued a Large Residential Development (LRD) Opinion in March 2025, which “confirmed that the principle of the proposed development was generally acceptable given the site is zoned ‘Primarily Residential’ in the Letterkenny Local Area & Transport Plan 2023-29 and was consistent with the objectives of the County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030.”

In March 2024, long-time residents in the Glencar area of Letterkenny vowed to resist “at all costs” the previous development plans in the area.

The Old Glencar Road Residents, Solomon’s Grove Residents, and Upper Fernhill Residents’ Association groups had signed a joint objection to An Coimisiún Pleanála of the previous planned development, which they branded “grossly excessive.”

They said that the road network was already feeling “intolerable congestion,” and the location of six schools nearby was leading to a growing level of vehicular traffic.

“There doesn’t seem to be any realisation of the congestion that this creates in the area and the inconvenience caused to long-term residents who are trapped in their homes for extended periods,” the objection said. 

Separate developers, PJ Sweeney and Geoffrey House, had an application granted for 418 residential units granted at the site in 2008, a decision that was upheld by An Bord Pleanála in May 2010; however, an application to extend the duration of the permission by Ciaran Sweeney in July 2020 was denied by Donegal County Council.

No decision date has been set by Donegal County Council on the application as of yet.