Public consultation under way on new Carndonagh Local Area Plan

A second series of public consultations is taking place on the new Carndonagh Local Area Plan, and runs until the middle of February.
The plan, which will provide a framework for the development of Carndonagh over the coming decade, contains proposals relating to housing, transport, regeneration, the environment and community facilities. It is a variation of the County Donegal Development Plan 2024-30, and Carndonagh is one of six strategic towns to be provided with a bespoke area plan.
An initial round of public consultation was held last February, and the current iteration of the plan has been informed by feedback received during that process. A public drop-in event will take place at the Public Services Centre in the town on Thursday, 29 January, from 4pm to 8pm, where local authority staff will be available to discuss all aspects of the plan with members of the public.
Plan documents are available on the consult.donegal.ie website, at council offices and Carndonagh library.

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The draft plan proposes zoning 11.366 hectares of land on 12 sites within the town boundary for new residential development. This would be sufficient to facilitate the construction of between 300 and 350 new homes. Active travel connections, including footpaths and cycleways, will be mandatory in these new housing estates while developers will also be expected to retain existing biodiversity where possible, reflecting the plan’s broader emphasis on environmental protection.
Transport and sustainable mobility feature prominently throughout the document. Proposals include a new extended inner relief road from Ard Colgan to the existing relief road near Atlantfish, along with enhanced public transport infrastructure. New bus stops are envisaged at key locations such as the community hospital, local schools, the town centre, SuperValu and the GAA club grounds.
The plan also supports delivery of the Barrack Hill Urban Wetland Way and new east-west recreational links to the Carrowreagh Road.
Town-centre regeneration is another major focus. The plan commits to supporting the sensitive redevelopment or refurbishment of vacant and derelict buildings, as well as appropriate infill development. It also backs delivery of the Tús Nua regeneration project, which aims to revitalise the town’s urban core. The Inishowen Livestock Mart site is identified as suitable for mixed-use redevelopment, subject to the relocation of the mart to an appropriate alternative location.
Community and environmental amenities are also highlighted. The plan supports the provision of a new general-purpose community centre incorporating youth, sporting and specialist facilities, and endorses additional recreational, sporting, community and biodiversity amenities at Barrack Hill Town Park. The regeneration and extension of the riverside walk along the Donagh/Glentogher River is identified as a key opportunity to enhance the town’s natural assets and improve public access.
A series of ‘opportunity sites’ are identified to encourage mixed-use development at accessible, serviced locations. The Barrack Hill master plan outlines how its mainly council-owned lands could be developed for residential, economic and recreational uses. Other sites across the town are earmarked for combinations of commercial, community, residential and tourism development.
Together, the proposals set out a long-term vision for Carndonagh that seeks to balance growth, community needs and the protection of the town’s character.
The public consultation period runs until 13 February, during which time residents and stakeholders are invited to make submissions on the draft plan.