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A Local Area Plan for Letterkenny: Working Draft Letterkenny Plan & Local Transport Plan 2022-2028

Update July 2022

Background to the Working Draft Letterkenny Plan

At the plenary Council meeting of 30^th 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:

1. Screened the Draft Letterkenny Local Area Plan for SEA in accordance with Article 14 of the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (As Amended) and determined that Strategic Environmental Assessment is required; and
2. Screened for Appropriate Assessment in accordance with Section 177U (1) to (4) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 [As Amended], and determined that Appropriate Assessment inclusive of the preparation of a Natura Impact Report is required. 
3. The Planning Authority have consulted with the Environmental authorities and Adjoining planning authorities in relation to the scope and level of detail of information to be included in the Environmental Report.

• In compliance with the aforementioned Regulations the planning authority must now make copies of its SEA  determination decision (which is in the form of a Chief Executive’s Order) available for public inspection at the offices and libraries of the planning authority during office hours(subject to Covid-19 protocols) and on the authority’s website.  Copies of the associated ‘Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Report and ‘Notice of Determination’ are also available for inspection. Links to copies of the said Determination, ‘Screening Report’, and ‘Notice of Determination’ are provided below:

• Determination that a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is required
• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Report
• Notice of Determination of the Need for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

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:

1. The Environmental Report (prepared to inform the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process),
2. The Natura Impact Report (prepared to inform the Appropriate Assessment (AA) process),
3. Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA),
4. Traffic and Transport Assessment (TTA).

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