Donegal County Council gives green light for large Falcarragh 26-house development

Donegal County Council have given conditional planning permission for a large residential development in Falcarragh, which is to include a community home.

McHugh Bros. Builders Ltd, were successful in gaining permission for their application, which includes the construction of a four-bedroom community group home, 26 dwelling houses, and a proposed access road, footpaths, and public lighting facilities to service the proposed development.

Further included in the application is a proposed public open space amenities, including the provision of car parking facilities to serve the development, a foul sewer including effluent treatment plant and a rising main to connect to the existing public foul sewer network, a storm water sewer network and watermains to serve the development, and all associated site development works. 

The 26 properties are to consist of 10 three-bedroom houses and 16 two-bedroom houses, and are to be situated off Church Road, Falcarragh. 

Within their design statement, McHugh Bros. Builders Ltd stated: “The residential units consist of two-storey dwelling houses which are a mixture of terrace and semi-detached dwellings. 

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“The house types are economical in size, scale and have durable external finishes. This arrangement provides for an orderly development — semi-mature trees and landscaping help to break up the lateral built form.

“The proposed houses are to be of high quality and generous in terms of floor area and external finishes. External finishes will include blue/black slats to the roof, smooth

render painted white, natural stone cladding where indicated, high-quality triple-glazed windows, etc.

“It is proposed that this development be of exceptionally high quality and provide residents with a high-quality living experience.”

Donegal County Council granted permission for the development with 25 conditions, including three conditions where the developer is expected to financially contribute a payment of a combined €584,300. 

It was set that before the approved development is commenced, the developer should provide adequate security to the Planning Authority for the provision and completion of all services required, in the sum of €495,000, in the form of a bond of a banking or insurance company, or a cash deposit, or any such security as the Council may approve. 

Moreover, a condition was set that the applicant should pay a contribution of €66,300.02 in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the Planning Authority that is already provided, or is intended to be provided by the Authority. 

The final condition was that the applicant (or benefitting person from the permission) should pay the sum of €25,000 to the Planning Authority as a special contribution, in respect of works to form a pedestrian crossing on the N56, which will facilitate the development.