The Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029 was formally made by the Elected Members of Donegal County Council on 13th November 2023. The Plan has effect from 3rd January 2024 for a period of 6 years until 2029. The Plan adopted by the Council was the subject of a Ministerial Direction issued on 22nd April 2024. The Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029 incorporating 'The Planning and Development (Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029) Direction 2024' inclusive of the Land Use Zoning Map can be found at the following links:
Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Statement
Appropriate Assessment Determination
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage wrote to Donegal County Council on 22nd April, 2024 and advised the Authority to take notice that on that date he issued a Direction pursuant to Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (As Amended) Pursuant to Section 31(7) of the Act. The Minister further advised that, pursuant to Section 31(17) of the Act, the Direction is deemed to have immediate effect and its terms are considered to be incorporated into the Plan.
In light of the foregoing, the Council is required, pursuant to Section 31(2) of the Act to comply with this Direction so as to rectify the matter in a manner that, in the opinion of the Minister, will ensure that the Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029 sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development and meets the requirements of the Act. The Direction requires as follows:
(a) Reinstate the following zoning objectives and associated text to that of the Draft Plan:
(i.) MA30(B) PR12 Creeve – i.e. the subject lands revert to ‘Local Environment’ and ‘Established Development’ from ‘Primarily Residential’.
(ii.) MA34 PR2 Castlebane - i.e. the subject lands revert to ‘Local Environment’ from ‘Primarily Residential’.
(iii.) MA44 Ballymacool – i.e. the subject lands revert to ‘Local Environment’ from ‘Community and Education’.
(iv.) MA42 – Bunnagee – i.e. the subject lands revert to ‘Open Space’ from ‘General Employment and Commercial’.
and apply all necessary consequential updates to the text of the plan consistent with the foregoing.
A copy of the Direction can be viewed at the following link: Ministerial Direction
Draft Direction (Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, 20th December, 2023)
Update 6th March 2024:
In accordance with Section 31(8) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (As Amended) the Chief Executive is required to submit a report on any submissions or observations received during the public consultation on the Draft Ministerial Direction to the Minister, Elected Members and the Office of the Planning Regulator. The Report was submitted on 21st February 2024. A copy of the Report can be viewed at the atttached link.
On 20th December 2023 the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning issued a ‘Notice of Intention to Issue a Direction’ to the Planning Authority under Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (As Amended) (‘the Act’) [Draft Direction]. The Draft Direction concerns the zoning of six parcels of land in the town and the key elements of the Draft Direction are set out hereunder. Interested parties are advised that these matters, in accordance with Section 31(6) of the Act, ‘shall not have effect’, notwithstanding their inclusion in the Plan as adopted by the Council and pending the issuing of the Minister’s Final Direction.
(a) Delete the following zoning objective from the adopted plan, i.e. the subject land is unzoned:
(i) PR 17 Glencar Scotch and Killyclug - i.e. the subject lands change to unzoned from Primarily Residential.
(b) Reinstate the following zoning objectives and associated text to that of the draft plan:
(i) MA30(B) PR12 Creeve - i.e. the subject lands revert to Local Environment
(ii) MA31 PR11 Killyclug - i.e. the subject lands revert to Local Environment from Primarily Residential
(iii) MA34 PR2 Castlebane - i.e. the subject lands revert to Local Environment from Primarily Residential
(iv) MA44 Ballymacool - i.e. the subject lands revert to Local Environment from Community and Education
(v) MA42 Bunnagee - i.e. the subject lands revert to Open Space from General Employment and Commercial
and apply all necessary consequential updates to the text of the plan consistent with the foregoing.
Draft Direction - Formal Public Consultation
(It should be noted that the abovenoted timelines are as prescribed in the Planning and Development Act and the Authority has no discretion to deviate from them.)
The Chief Executive’s Report on Submissions/Observations received in respect of the Proposed Material Alterations was submitted to the Elected Members on 5thOctober, 2023 as required under Section 20(3)(k) of the Planning & Development Act, 2000 (As Amended). You can view the CE Report at the link below:
CE Report on submissions received on the Proposed Material Alterations
The Chief Executive’s Report will be formally considered at a Special Plenary Council meeting on 13th November, 2023.
The consultation period on the Proposed Material Alterations closed on 8th September, 2023. The next step in the process is the preparation of a Chief Executive’s Report on submissions received. This Report must be submitted to Elected Members by no later than 8th October, 2023. The Members will then consider the Report at a Special Plenary Council meeting to be held no later than 15th November, 2023 at which point the Plan may be made by the Planning Authority. Click here to view the submissions on the Proposed Material Alterations.
Pursuant to S.20(3)(e) and (h) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (As Amended) [‘the Act’] Donegal County Council has published Proposed Material Alterations (‘PMA’s’) to the Draft Plan for inspection and public consultation between 11th August and 8th September, 2023.
Proposed MAs to Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029
Map - Proposed Material Alterations to the Letterkenny Plan and LTP 2023-2029
Leasuithe Ábhartha atá Molta don Dréachtphlean Leitir Ceanainn agus Plean iompaír Áitiúil 2023-2023
Léarscáil Leasuithe Ábhartha atá Molta don Dréachtphlean Leitir Ceanainn 2023-2029
The Council determined that Strategic Environmental Assessment (‘the SEA Determination’) is required in respect of the PMAs, in accordance with S.20(3)(f) of the Act. The published documents therefore include an Environmental Report containing information on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the PMAs.
Environmental Report - Draft LK Plan & LTP 2023-2029 Material Alterations
The associated Screening Report, Determination and Notice of Determination are available at the links below:
Determination that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is required on the Material Alterations to the Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Report of the Material Alterations to the Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029
Notice of Determination of the Need for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) on the Material Alterations to the Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029
With regards to Appropriate Assessment, the Council determined that an Appropriate Assessment was not required. The relevant documents will be made available for public inspection after the Plan is made (adopted) by the Authority in accordance with Section 177(7) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (As Amended).
A Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Report has also been prepared.
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Report - Letterkenny Plan & LTP Mat Alt
Copies of the Proposed Material Alterations of the Draft LAP, the Environmental Report containing information on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the PMAs, and the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment may be inspected from Friday 11th August 2023 to Friday 8th September 2023 (both dates inclusive):
Written submissions or observations with respect to the Proposed Material Alterations of the Draft LAP, the Environmental Report containing information on the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the PMAs, and the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment may be made to the Planning Authority between Friday 11th August and Friday 8th September 2023 (both dates inclusive) by the following means, and shall be taken into consideration before the making of any material alteration:
Please make your submissions in one medium only. The final date/time for receipt of submissions is Friday 8th September at 4:30pm.
Written submissions or observations redacted for privacy purposes shall, save in exceptional circumstances, be published on the website of the authority within 10 working days of its receipt by the authority.
At the Plenary Council meeting of 24th July, 2023, the Elected Members considered the following technical reports prepared in respect of the Draft Plan incorporating the 62 Proposed Material Amendments previously agreed by Members at the Plenary Council meetings of 10th May 2023 and 19th June 2023: Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report; and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (with regards to Appropriate Assessment, a Determination was made by the Executive that a further Natura Impact Report could be screened out). The Members also agreed to proceed to publish the Proposed Material Alterations and the aforementioned reports for a 4-week period of public consultation from 11th August to 8th September, 2023.
In accordance with section 20(3)(d) of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended), the Members of Donegal County Council considered the Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029, the Chief Executive’s Report and other associated documents at their plenary meetings on 10th May 2023 and 19th June 2023, and decided to amend the Draft Plan. The amendments included a total of 62 Proposed Material Alterations, which are now being considered by the Executive in the context of requirements for Strategic Environmental Assessment, Appropriate Assessment and Flood Risk Assessment. Following completion of assessments in this regard, the Proposed Material Alterations will be further considered by the Council at the plenary meeting on 24th July 2023 and thereafter, commencing 11 August, there will be a 4-week period of public consultation in respect of the Material Alterations that have been agreed by the Council.
The public consultation on the Draft Plan concluded in mid-February, 2023.
The Chief Executive’s Report on the submissions made during the consultation period was prepared and submitted to Elected Members on 30th March, 2023. Members will formally consider the Chief Executive’s Report at a Special Plenary meeting of the Council on 24th April, 2023. You can view the document at the following link:
Chief Executive's Report on Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan
The Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029 and associated environmental and technical reports were published on 6th January, 2023 for a public consultation period of six weeks. The consultation period will close on 17th February, 2023.
For full details of the consultation please go to: https://consult.donegal.ie/en/consultation/draft-letterkenny-plan-and-local-transport-plan-2023-2029
You can also view the documents at the following links:
Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan 2023-2029
Draft Land Use Zoning Map
Environmental Report
Natura Impact Reportt
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
Traffic Modelling Report
Submissions or observations with respect to the Draft Plan and associated reports may be made between Friday 6th January 2023 and Friday 17th February 2023 (both dates inclusive):
- in writing to the Planning Authority at: The Central Planning Unit, Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford, F93 Y622;
- via the Council’s online consultation portal at https://consult.donegal.ie/en/consultation/draft-letterkenny-plan-and-local- transport-plan-2023-2029 or
- via email to [email protected] (please insert following in ‘Subject Title’ bar: Letterkenny Plan) Submissions made via email must include the full name and address of the person making the submission.
At the Plenary Council meeting of 28th November, 2022 the Members of Donegal County Council authorised publication of the Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan for public consultation. It is anticipated that the Draft Plan will be published on 6th January, 2023 for a public consultation period of six weeks i.e. until 16th February, 2023. Thereafter, it is anticipated that the Chief Executive’s Report on the submissions made on the Draft Plan will be considered at the March, 2023 Plenary Council meeting (or, if considered necessary, a Special Plenary meeting around this time).
At the plenary Council meeting of 30th May 2022 the Members approved the formal commencement of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA) processes in respect of the approved Proposed Draft Letterkenny Plan (inclusive of a Local Transport Plan).
The Members also approved moving ahead with the completion of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) and Traffic and Transport Assessment (TTA) processes in respect of the Proposed Draft Plan and authorised the Executive to further edit the approved Proposed Draft Plan where such requirements are identified and where any such edits would be non-material in nature.
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Appropriate Assessment (AA).
The Planning Authority has:
The next steps in the process are as follows:
It is hoped to bring the following reports before the full Council for consideration at the September 2022 meeting:
Should the Proposed Draft Letterkenny Plan 2022-2028 be Adopted at the Plenary Council meeting in September, it is envisaged that the Plan would then be published for public consultation in November 2022.
Any further queries in relation to the preparation of this ongoing work should be directed to: [email protected] or phone 074 9153900
