Údarás na Gaeltachta secures planning retention at Falcarragh horticulture enterprise

Udaras na Gaeltachta has been granted retention permission for a series of structures in Falcarragh following an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

The planning commission granted the permission, subject to conditions, for the development at Killult, Falcarragh.

The permission is for what is described as a ‘development to facilitate and support the existing agricultural/horticultural use of the lands’.

The development includes: nine polytunnels (combined floor area of 1,818 square metres); one rainwater storage tank (21 square metres); one portacabin (26 square metres); two containers (28 square metres); blockwork wall and semi-enclosed area (circa 36 square metres) adjacent to packing shed; and minor elevational changes to existing office building comprising two additional windows to second storey.

Cill Ulta is the location of a longstanding horticultural enterprise that has developed through the work of state authorities and community groups and the enterprise is currently under the ownership of Údarás na Gaeltachta and is operated by Lárionad Acmhainní Nádúrtha Ctr. (LAN), a non-profit organisation with charitable status.

Originally, Donegal County Council granted permission in April of this year, but an appeal was lodged to An Coimisiún Pleanála by Seamus Ó Domhnaill.

In its decision, An Coimisiún Pleanála said that: “Subject to compliance with the conditions set out, the development proposed to be retained would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity, would not endanger public safety by reason of a traffic hazard or adversely impact on public health or on the natural heritage of the area”.

Conditions of the permission granted include that the polytunnels are to be used for horticultural prospects only and are to be maintained in good condition. Any torn or defaced plastic covering must be removed and replaced with new covering.

The storage containers permitted must be removed from the site within two years from the date of the order.

In appealing the decision by the Council, Mr Ó Domhnaill, of Gortahork, contested that an appropriate assessment at the very least should have been required given the proximity to Ballyness Bay special area of conservation and Falcarragh to Meenlaragh special protection area.

He argued that the planning authority erred in their interpretation of the need for an appropriate assessment, noting that a water tank was erected on the special protection area, resulting in habitat loss.

Mr Ó Domhnaill suggested that the planning application should be made invalid. He said that the planning authority’s approach is not consistent with other sites in Donegal, where all aspects of a given site require regularisation.

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In response, the Planning Partnership, on behalf of Udaras na Gaeltachta, said that aerial photography confirms the presence of a structure at the location of the building to the rear of the site (‘the packing shed’) from at least 1995.

It said that the application is of limited scope and seeks retention only for the identified development and that the application does not seek to regularise the full extent of historic activity at the site.

The Planning Partnership said that the scale of operations has decreased compared to earlier periods with reduced glasshouse coverage, lower staff numbers and a shift away from intensive commercial horticulture towards research and biodiversity-focussed initiatives.