An Coimisiún Pleanála upholds McDonalds planning permission in Letterkenny

An appeal against the granted planning permission for the construction of a McDonalds drive-thru restaurant in Letterkenny has been rejected by An Coimisiún Pleanála. 

An Coimisíun Pleanála upheld Donegal County Council’s decision to grant conditional planning permission for the proposal, which is to be situated off Port Road, after an appeal was brought forward against the development by a local businessman.

Applicant, PJ McDermott, received planning permission with 19 conditions in August 2025, for the development, which is a single-storey drive-thru restaurant, including the ancillary sale of hot food for consumption off the premises, with an associated corral area, elevational signage, car/bicycle parking, and EV car parking spaces, grill bays, a height restrictor, customer order points, amongst other amenities.

Landscaping, including a furniture/seating area with parasols, is included in the proposed development. 

Moreover, included in planning is the installation of a traffic barrier on the meridian of the R229 public road, adjacent to the proposed site entrance to and from the development.

An Coimisiún Pleanála summarised objections from Eddie Tobin against the proposed development in an inspector’s report. The report highlighted the grounds of appeal regarding traffic, parking, and road issues, and issues with design and impact on visual amenities.

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It was stated that the proposed development was on “one of the heaviest, if not the heaviest, trafficked section of road” in Donegal, and the proposal would lead to heavy traffic in and out of site. It was further argued that the site was not “suitable for the traffic volumes generated given its location proximate to the Polestar Roundabout; lack of right-hand turn into site; and restricted access for large vehicles (deliveries/refuse) which would have a detrimental effect on the road network.”

Regarding design, it was commented that “the design fails to display high architectural quality or provide a fine-grain development on this prominent urban site” and “combined with excessive surface car parking would injure the visual amenities of the area.”

In reply, the applicant requested that An Coimisiún Pleanála dismiss the appeal as it could “be defined as vexatious, frivolous or without substance or foundation.”

The applicant queried “as to whether the appeal is commercially-led and intended to delay the proposed development,” highlighting that the appellant was the owner of a commercial premises on Port Road, that had “live permission for a development which includes a drive-thru restaurant.”

In his recommendation, the Planning Inspector, Matthew O’Connor concluded: “The proposed development would not seriously injure the visual amenities of the area, and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience. 

“The proposed development would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”