Through the Planning & Economic Development Service, with technical support from the Roads and Transportation Service, Donegal County Council continues to progress the Urban & Village Renewal Programme 2000-2006 throughout the County. This Programme aims to carry out enhancement works in the many towns and villages throughout Donegal through, for example, the undergrounding of service cables, the provision of street furniture and decorative street lighting, paved footpaths and car parking facilities, landscaping and tree planting, etc.
Financed through the Council’s own resources and various external funding sources, most towns in the County have now benefited from at least one phase of Environmental Improvement works during 1995 –1999 or 2000-2006. To date, under the 2000-2006 programme approximately €6 million has been invested in Urban and Village Renewal Programme with the average cost of each scheme, approximately €400,000.
Click on the towns below to find out more about their Environment Improvement Schemes 2000-2006.
Liasing with External Funding Sources
Through the Planning and Economic Development Directorate, the Council plays a vital role in encouraging and stimulating social and economic regeneration in the County through the physical enhancement of our numerous towns and villages. The Council finances enhancement works both through its own resources and also through leveraging funding from other Agencies, Bodies and Government Departments including:
BMW Operational Programme 2000-2006 for Urban and Village Renewal,
Department of Environment, Heritage And Local Government
Through the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, which administers the BMW Operational Programme for Urban and Village Renewal 2000-2006 (funded by the Irish Government and Part-Financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan 2000 – 2006), Donegal County Council receives an annual allocation of funding to part fund projects included in the approved “Strategic Framework document for Urban and Village Renewal in County Donegal 2000-2006”. Approximately €2.5 million has been allocated to date and it is envisaged that a further €1million will be invested between 2006 and 2007.
Peace II
Through the Donegal County Council led Peace II Taskforce, the Planning and Economic Development Directorate has secured approximately €1,224,250 for village renewal projects throughout the County. This funding has ensured that approximately 30 villages have been targeted for physical enhancement works in the last two years.
Interreg III A
In 2004, an application for funding under Interreg IIIA, Seaside Towns Initiative, Improving the Image of Traditional Resorts was approved by ICBAN. The project, co-funded by Donegal County Council and representing an investment of €300,000, has supported the development of the following:
- Promenade, Bundoran;
- Coastal Walkway from Swan Park to Stragil, Buncrana;
- The Quay, Donegal Town.
An Roinn Gnothaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus na Gaeltachta
In recent years, An Roinn Gnothaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus na Gaeltachta and Donegal County Council have delivered a substantial programme of village enhancement works in Gaeltacht villages throughout County Donegal. In the period 2004 – 2006, this programme has co-funded in excess of €1,350,950 for the enhancement of Towns and Villages in the Gaeltacht regions of the County.
Udaras Na Gaeltachta
The Planning and Economic Development Directorate has been successful in securing match funding from Udaras in completing Phase II of the Environmental Improvement Scheme in Kilcar. These works will enhance the area of the town where the Udaras properties are located, in addition to completing the overall programme of environmental improvement works carried out in the town of Kilcar in 2006.
IFI (International Fund for Ireland)
The Planning and Economic Development Directorate has secured funding towards environmental improvement works from the IFI for projects in Burtonport and Ramelton. Both projects have consisted of substantial enhancement works being completed which will act as a catalyst for social and economic regeneration in these areas.
In addition, through support from Donegal County Council, Ardara Parish Council has secured funding from the IFI for a portion of the development works which will take place at Herron’s Field, Ardara. This project is regarded as an excellent example of the Local Authority and the local community coming together to progress a project which will incorporate bus and car parking, picnic areas, childcare facility, playground, riverside walk and development opportunity sites.
