Planning application for 48 much-needed new homes in Ballyshannon

A planning application has been lodged for a housing development that could significantly benefit Ballyshannon.

The application by MCF Construction LImited consists of 48 houses in the Portnason area of the town. It includes all association site works, sewers and storm water drainage, as well as car parking and a centrally located landscaped amenity area. The application also includes access through the existing service road from the R-267 West Port Road. 

Cllr Barry Sweeny (FG) welcomed the application.

“This is very badly needed in Ballyshannon and it would be great for the town,” he told the Donegal Post. 

“It is in a really beautiful area, backing on to the estuary. It would be a lovely place to live and there are quite a few employers nearby in the Cornhill Business Park.

“We are trying to encourage people to come and work in Ballyshannon. We have a lot of things in place; housing was the missing piece of the puzzle.

“This is exactly what we need.”

Cllr Sweeny also raised the matter at the January meeting of the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal on Tuesday.

“It is a big deal for Ballyshannon to have 48 houses coming on stream,” he said. 

“It will make a big difference to the area. 

The council’s housing department came in for praise for significantly reducing the number of casual vacancies among housing stock. This was as a result of a number of  vacant properties being refurbished to current standards and allocated to people on the housing waiting list.

Area Manager for the Municipal District of Donegal, Pauric Sheerin thanked councillors for their comments. 

He acknowledged part funding from the Department of Housing which had contributed to the cost of the work which had to be carried out.