Clonmany Curate’s house gets blessing to become Community Hub

Planning permission has been granted to turn the Parochial House in Clonmany into a community hub.

Clonmany Enterprise Development Limited had sought a change of use of the building, known locally as the Curate’s House in the heart of Clonmany village, which previously served as the parish office. 

The office was relocated to St Mary’s Hall several years ago after a burst pipe caused flooding damage to the building, which has remained vacant since.

The Curate’s House and the adjoining field were purchased in recent years by Clonmany Enterprise Development CLG, the organisers of the annual Clonmany Festival, from the parish priest.

Since acquiring the property, the group has secured planning permission for a new toilet block and play park on the adjacent field, which is used to host the festival funfair.

The Curate’s House is currently leased to Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre from the Clonmany Festival. 

An application to convert the former parish office into a Community Hub for a local youth club was submitted by Clonmany Community Centre last year, but was ultimately refused after An Coimisiún Pleanála overturned a decision by Donegal County Council to grant permission.

In its refusal, the Board outlined how it wasn’t satisfied that the applicationwas made by the owner of the property or had obtained the “approval of the person(s) who has such sufficient legal estate or interest,” in the property.

Donegal County Council granted permission to Clonmany Enterprise Development Limited for a significant renovation of the building despite a couple of objections. 

The new hub will include four retail units and a staff canteen on the ground floor. The first floor will contain a committee boardroom, two community hot-desk workspaces, and a manager’s office.

An objection to the community Hub was submitted by John Bradley, who outlined that the development is contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area and does not comply with key objectives of the Donegal County Development Plan 2024–2030. 

Changing the parochial house to a community hub, Mr. Bradley argues, would represent a “significant intensification” of activity within what is currently a quiet residential setting.

Mr. Bradley was also concerned about the lack of an Operational Management Plan (OMP) for how the proposed hub would operate. “The application contains no details regarding hours of operation, expected footfall, or noise mitigation. Without an OMP, the Planning Authority cannot adequately assess the impact on the quiet and enjoyment of neighbouring homes.”

The objector expressed concerns over the development being a “safety hazard” or how it would impact vulnerable residents, including “the immediate neighbour, my mother Rose Bradley, who is a registered blind resident.”

“The charity was formally notified of this on 5th June 2025 and 6th October 2025,” Mr. Bradley said. “Despite this knowledge, the application lacks an Accessibility Audit or a Disability Access Strategy. The increased vehicular movements and pedestrian traffic associated with a Hub create a direct safety hazard for a visually impaired resident who requires a predictable and safe local environment.”

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The Planning Authority granted permission subject to nine conditions. These include that the opening hours of the retail units shall be confined to between 8.30am and 8pm on Monday to Friday. While weekend hours will range on Saturdays from 8.30am until 6pm, and on Sundays the shops can only open for six hours between 12pm and 6pm.