The SEED Project

A regeneration project to Strengthen, Engage, Enable and Deliver transformational change in Ballybofey & Stranorlar

The Councils Regeneration & Development Team, working in collaboration with Ballybofey and Stranorlar Integrated Community Council (BASICC) has published exciting plans for a transformational town centre regeneration project in the townland of Ballybofey in Ballybofey-Stranorlar town centres and in the Stranorlar Municipal District, County Donegal. The ‘SEED’ project is a sustainable, green, regeneration project that will engage in place-making and people to revitalise the town centres of Ballybofey-Stranorlar. It will deliver a ‘town centre heart’ via a new civic space/town square with public amenities in the centre of the town, together with enterprise space in a repurposed heritage building and additional town centre car parking capacity.

 The specific nature of the proposed works are:

• Demolition of the double height auditorium block at the northern end of the former Ritz Cinema together with demolition of existing shed to the rear of same;
• Restoration and refurbishment of the entrance block to the former Ritz Cinema, construction of a new 2 and 3-storey contemporary extension with bridge link and change of use to an Enterprise building;
• Re-development of an existing public car park to provide for a civic space, inclusive of pedestrian infrastructure, road frontage canopy detail, public amenities and changing places facility;
• Construction of façade enhancements to the existing shopping arcade;
• Construction of a new two-storey car park with approx. 130no. spaces, sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) and enhanced pedestrian linkage to the new civic space;
• All associated ancillary works to include site drainage, connection to public water supply and other services, landscaping, development related signage & public art, connection & discharge to the public sewerage network.

All associated ancillary site works shall be located within the townland of BALLYBOFEY in the STRANORLAR Municipal District.

Note that in accordance with Article 120(1)(b)(i) of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) Donegal County Council has concluded, based on a preliminary examination of the nature, size and location of the development, that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not required. 

The plans and particulars of this proposed development will be available for inspection online (at the links below)  or for inspection and purchase (at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy,) by prior arrangement only at:

 The proposed plans will be available for inspection from Tuesday 22^nd September– Tuesday 20^th October 2020.

Submissions and observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and development of the area in which the development is situated may be made in writing to The Co. Secretariat, Donegal County Council, Lifford, County Donegal, before 4.30pm on Wednesday 4^th November 2020. Please mark the front of the envelope with the project name as per the above schedule.

Schedule of documents:

• Public Notice
• The SEED Project - Nature and extent of the development proposed
• Environmental Impact Assessment Screening
• Appropriate Assessment Screening
• Flood Risk Assessment
• The SEED Project- Surface Water Drainage Design & Compliance with Sustainable UrbanDrainageSystems
• Information relating to Changing Places Facilities
• BS/SEED/01:    Site Location and extents
• BS/SEED/02: ‌   E‌xisting site layout
• BS/SEED/03A: The Ritz - existing plans (floor plans; front & back elevation                                  & section A-A)
• BS/SEED/03B: The Ritz - Existing plans (Side elevations)‌
• BS/SEED/03C: T‌he Ritz - Existing shed plans, elevations and section A-A
• BS/SEED/04:    P‌roposed site layout
• BS/SEED/05:    Proposed storm drainage layout (SUDS)‌
• BS/SEED/06A: Proposed plans for public conveniences/changing places facility                            and section through proposed canopy to public realm
• BS/SEED/06B: Proposed plans for public conveniences/changing places facility                            and section through proposed canopy to public realm
• BS/SEED/07:    Ballybofey Shopping Arcade - existing and proposed elevations
• BS/SEED/08A: The Ritz - proposed plans (ground & first floor plans, elevation B                           & rear elevation)
• BS/SEED/08B: The Ritz - Proposed plans (2nd floor pland & roof top plan)
• BS/SEED/08C: The Ritz - Proposed plans (elevations front, sides and elevation                             A & section A-A)
• BS/SEED/09:    Proposed car park-proposed plans, elevations, section

Regeneration & Development Team

Community Development and Planning Services

Donegal County Council

September 2020