Letterkenny residents hit out at 'outrageous overdevelopment' in planning appeal

Long-term residents have lodged an objection against a major housing development in Letterkenny.

The Old Glencar Road, Solomon's Grove and Upper Fernhill Residents Associations have submitted an objection to An Bord Pleanala over the proposed development of 90 residential unites and a crèche.

Last month, Donegal County Council granted conditional planning permission for the development at Glencar Irish & Glencar Scotch.

Developer PJ McDermott sought the green light for the construction of a housing development consisting of 82 dwellings and two apartment blocks consisting of eight apartments.

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While the local authority granted permission, it attached 34 conditions, but residents have now asked the planning authority to rule on the matter.

“We are long term residents in the general area of the proposed development, and we have serious reservations about the impact it could potentially have on us in its current format,” they wrote. “The proposal is totally unacceptable.”

Their concerns are listed under 16 different headings in a detailed submission.

“This proposal presents an outrageous overdevelopment of a site where the local infrastructure is already stretched beyond capacity,” the letter says.

“Our hospitals, schools and other general services are not capable of dealing with the needs of the existing population in Letterkenny never mind the additional numbers that this proposed development would add.”

A planned second phase of the same development would include the construction of a further 200 residential units, which the current residents say is ‘grossly excessive’.

They say that the development would ‘town over’ existing houses and that an ‘iconic portion of Letterkenny’s skyline would be broken’. The submission says: “It is simply not acceptable to develop on one

of the few remaining greenfield sites and natural woodlands in the Letterkenny area.”

The residents group argue that the current infrastructure is incapable of dealing with the current traffic flow and would be under further strain with an additional volume.

“The Lollipop Lady at the crossing at Dr. McGinley road is already putting her life in danger every time she steps out to let children cross,” they say. “What impact will the increased traffic flow have on her

and the school children's safety?”

Fears over the already-inadequate domestic water pressure in the area were raised.

Several existing houses in the surrounding areas have been blighted by defective blocks and residents note that they expect ‘considerable traffic disruption’ with planned remedial works on these buildings.

The residents have expressed the opinion that the developer ‘has clearly not shown any consideration for the established community through his failure to engage with us via a public consultation’.

They said: This suggests this proposal is a purely commercial venture to get every last Euro out of a valuable greenfield site and natural woodland. Proper consultation may have allayed some of our concerns.”

The case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanala by August, 2023.