Dungloe bar refused retention permission for enclosed seated area

A popular Dungloe bar will have to tear down an enclosed seating area after a ruling by An Bord Pleanála.

The planning body has refused retention permission at McCafferty's Bar.

The decision followed an appeal by neighbours Paul and Rosemary Gallagher, who claimed in a submission that they felt 'under siege'.

Michael Boyle of Atlantic Drive Ltd sought retention permission for an enclosed seating area with bar servery to the rear and side of the premises known as McCafferty's Bar.

Donegal County Council had granted conditional permission to the works.

The Gallaghers said that they were the owners of the adjacent neighbouring land and claimed they had 'ongoing issues with these premises since the owners took over in 2017'.

“The applicant's bar, which immediately adjoins our premises, was for generations a small family run premises,” they said.

“Unauthorised development has already taken place on the premises from 2017 to date. The former walk through area, now roofed over is being used commercially with two bars and with music entertainment non-stop. This is totally unacceptable and intolerable.

“We are constantly under siege from trying to enter or leave our premises because of the development.”

At a Board meeting on April 23, 2024, An Bord Pleanála refused the retention permission.

The decision said: “Having regard to the proximity of the residential and holiday accommodation within the vicinity of the site, it is considered that, due to size and the form of construction of the enclosed seating area, its access arrangements, its use and its operating hours, significant noise nuisance arises from this seating area resulting in serious injury to the amenities of nearby properties.

“In these circumstances, to grant retention permission for the enclosed seating area would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”