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An Bord Pleanála give go-ahead to Islamic centre in Letterkenny

By Louise Doyle

AN Bord Pleanála has upheld planning permission granted by Donegal County Council for the construction of an Islamic Cultural Centre in Letterkenny.

Applicant Letterkenny Islamic Association Clg lodged plans with Donegal County Council in November 2023, seeking planning permission for the centre at Lisnennan, Letterkenny.

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The plans comprise construction of an Islamic Cultural Centre to include the provision of a main building, with all associated ancillary spaces, offices, meeting room and kitchenette.

Donegal County Council had given the green light to the development in November 2024, subject to 18 conditions.

But local residents, Barry and Kathy O’Neill lodged an appeal against the planning permission to An Bord Pleanála. The objectors, who live in the immediate vicinity of the site, had said that while they have no objection in principle to the development of an Islamic Cultural Centre in Letterkenny, they strongly object to such a development on the earmarked site.

In their written correspondence to An Bord Pleanála, they wrote: “There are no nearby car parks or even street parking, therefore if there are more than 66 vehicles at any one time they will be forced to park on the road, which will inevitably lead to traffic safety concerns.”

Barry and Kathy O’Neill also documented their concerns about the potential archaeological impacts, as there is a recorded monument (Holy well) on their lands. They had said an archaeological assessment did not go far enough.

“Excavations only stripped the top soil to the depth of of approximately 300 to 400mm. It is highly unlikely that any finds would be found at such shallow depths, given that excavation of up to seven or eight metres will be required across much of this site.”

But An Bord Pleanála rejected the views of the objectors, and in granting the go-ahead for the development cited that “the proposed development would not seriously injure the visual or residential amenities of the area, and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience. The proposed development, would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.

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Sixteen conditions have been attached to the planning permission. These include that the use of the auxiliary building and the coffee dock/sandwich bar shall remain ancillary to the main use on the site as a religious/cultural/community facility. No part of this development shall be leased or sold as separate independent units.

Prior to the commencement of any development works on the site, including the removal of any landscape feature or vegetation, a survey to ascertain the presence of any bat activity on the site for roosting or foraging purposes and an assessment of any potential impact on the species arising from the proposed development shall be undertaken by a qualified ecologist and the findings submitted for written approval of the planning authority.

A number of requirements in relation to noise must be complied with, including that during the operational phase of the proposed development, the noise level arising from the development, as measured at the nearest dwelling shall not exceed an Leq, 1 hour value of 55 d B(A) during the period of 8am to 10pm from Monday to Sunday inclusive. An Leq, 15 min value of 45 d B(A) at any other time.

The construction of the development shall be managed in accordance with a Construction Management Plan, which shall provide details of intended construction practice for the development, including measures to obviate queuing of construction traffic on the adjoining road network.

Alternative arrangements are to be put in place for pedestrians and vehicles in the case of the closure of any public road or footpath during the course of site development works.

Furthermore, noise mitigation measures shall include identification and agreement of noise sensitive locations and advanced notice of significant noise generating activities to noise sensitive locations.

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