‘Time for action’ in Ballybofey-Stranorlar

Now is the time for action in Ballybofey and Stranorlar to tackle the challenges left by a legacy of abandoned properties, says local councillor, Patrick McGowan.

The scourge of dereliction and long-term vacancy is not just confined to major cities in Ireland — it is also pervading places like the Finn Valley.

Each town has a housing list for its citizens that gives local councillors and council staff sleepless nights, and while the problem of dereliction may seem unrelated, the two intersect over and over again.

According to the last GeoDirectory Commercial Vacancy Rates Report, published at the beginning of the month of the towns in Donegal surveyed, Ballybofey had the highest commercial vacancy rate (30.0%).

Cllr McGowan said he was concerned that the town had consistently topped this particular poll but claimed by utilising the Government's new Housing For All strategy, Donegal County Council could make inroads in the Twin Towns.

He said the new plan, which included a Town Centre First policy, has real ambition, guaranteed investment, and fresh ideas that use the public and private sector.

“This could be a real win-win situation for towns like Ballybofey and Stranorlar. It’s about delivering housing of different tenures, in the right places and, most importantly, at prices people can afford.

“It gives certainty and stability for those who want to finance and build homes,” he said.

He added the implementation of a strategic approach to town centre regeneration, promoting residential occupancy in our rural towns and villages will be at the heart of the plan.

Ageing population

“With an ageing population and smaller family units, two-bedroom is the typical unit required with the county council. Nobody wants to go into small apartments where they have to share landings and doors.

“It's costly to do up an old building and apply all conditions like fire regulations, accessibility, amenities, noise, parking and back garden space. These issues drove people out of town centres many years ago.

“Now what they are talking about is using a  number of old or derelict buildings, joining up the back yards, creating spaces for parking, bins and stores with living space designed as townhouses.

“We have a number of opportunities in Ballybofey and Stranorlar to do this. For example at McClay's Corner, you have acres of land that could be transformed, similar to the development at the Dunnes Stores site in Monaghan. There's enough land there and access to three different roads, Chapel Street, Letterkenny Road and main street in Stranorlar.”

Cllr McGowan said it would allow businesses and services to flourish around them and of course, you already had schools, shops and churches in the vicinity.

“Not everyone wants to live near a town centre but for those who do this would be ideal for development being so close to services such as infrastructural facilities like the main town sewer and the bus route.”

He added such a development could also incorporate a communal heating system.

He pointed out there were several sites in Ballybofey such as Glenfin Street that could avail of incentives under the new policy too.

“We have sites in Glenfin Street. There are properties there, whether these are developer owned or inherited by families that are just sitting there. These are liabilities as no one has the money to do them up. I have no doubt the vast majority of people would like to see something done with them and make them fit for purpose and family-friendly.”

Cllr McGowan the new plan would in no way affect the commercial hub of the to”ns.

"It would add to their appeal. New housing units and their separate space would complement the commercial sectors. The towns are ready for development and with the bypass on the way we have to think about how to adapt and design the towns to meet the new future.

“It's Government and European policy, the money is there so we should be doing something about it. This could revitalise the two towns or indeed any of the towns and villages with similar dereliction problems in the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District.”

He added while it was not the solution to all their problems and serviced sites would always be needed on the edge of towns, this was an opportunity to tackle the joint problems of affordable housing and lowering the commercial vacancy rate problem.

“Ballybofey-Stranorlar should be made into a flagship project for the Town Centre First policy at county level to show what can be done. We're in an ideal geographical location in the middle of the county with access to three national primary roads. We are already a noted recreational/sporting hub so the potential is there to make it an administrative/office centre too.

“Such a move would complement existing businesses, attract more businesses and boost jobs. There's an ambitious regeneration strategy already in train so any imaginative developments could only help.

“There's a review of the Ballybofey-Stranorlar Town Plan coming up shortly. With the bypass moving from the south to the north of the towns things will change.

“Once the heavy traffic stops coming through the towns it will make them a lot friendlier for shoppers and locals. Now is the time for action, the money is there, let's go after it," he said.