Planning permission sought for South Donegal community hall extension

Planning permission is being sought from Donegal County Council for the extension of a South Donegal community hall.

Rockfield Community Co-Op Ltd has submitted the planning application for the construction of an extension to Rockfield Community Hall, near the grounds of Rockfield National School, Rockfield, a few kilometres west of Belleek on the County Fermanagh border. 

The extension is planned for the current community hall, which was built circa 2013. 

October Designs Ltd, on behalf of Rockfield Community Co-Op Ltd, stated: “The site was constrained to the rear and the hall was built to suit the land available at the time of original construction.

“Since then, a tract of land has been donated by an adjacent landowner, and the group now finds themselves in a position to develop an extension which would see much-needed storage added onto the existing facility as well as a modest addition to the floor area of the main activity space. 

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“Having been in existence now for 13 years, the group and users of the hall are aware of how the facility could be best improved to serve existing users' needs.

“The additional space will see existing services enhanced rather than resulting in any major intensification of use. For example, the main activity space is too short to accommodate full-length bowling mats for the bowling club and the use by pickleball players is curtailed by the short space currently available. Both sets of users would greatly benefit from increased floor area.

“In general, storage space is in short supply and equipment being stored in the main activity space can represent safety worries, as all equipment should be securely locked outside of the main activity area when not in use.

“Presently, no such space exists, and the proposed development would greatly enhance the safe enjoyment of the facility.”