'Convoy is exploding at the sides': Forward planning needed for east Donegal village

A Donegal County Councillor has called for action to allay concerns over the layout at the entrance to a housing development in Convoy.

Councillor Patrick McGowan branded the situation at Townparks in Convoy as “crazy”.

Councillor McGowan brought the issue to a head at the latest meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District.

“Once you come off the road, there are three estates using the one entrance and there is no layout whatsoever,” he said. “It is like spaghetti junction without any lines or markings or islands. You have pedestrians, cyclists and cars all using it; there is nowhere in the country like it. The layout is crazy.”

The location is situated close to Scoil Bhride national school and Councillor McGowan says a wider look needs to be held into the village.

“Convoy is exploding at the sides with planning and housing,” he said.

“During the last Celtic Tiger, developers couldn’t get enough building in Letterkenny and the land was cheaper in Convoy. Convoy really needs a health check, an area plan or at least it needs prioritised. It isn’t fair to keep building and building with no consequences.”

Frank Sweeney, a senior executive planner with Donegal County Council, said it was an issue that would need to be addressed by the roads section. Mr Sweeney suggested that the area roads team assess the situation.

“We need to get an understanding of what the issues are,” he said.

In relation to the entrance at Townparks, Mr Sweeney added: “There is very little that we can do. Planning permission was granted in the Ard Tómaire development and that is due to expire this month.

“If a subsequent application came in and we had a good understanding of the deficiencies, we could address that. Coming along and asking planning to take action, that isn’t an option, but we do need to get an understanding of what the issues are.”

Councillor McGowan told the meeting that forward planning is needed.

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“We are answerable directly to the public,” he said. “Planners and engineers aren’t. We have heard all over the place about bonds running out and what have you - and we cannot have that happening here.

“We need a proper report. We are just kicking a ball around the place, but we just want dates, times and facts and see what is going on in the estate.”