by Louise Doyle
A MAJOR housing development in Letterkenny, lodged plans for which came as up to 15 families received notices to quit their private rented homes, has been given the green light.
Applicant Phil Boyle submitted proposals for the construction of 52 dwellings in Ballymacool in September 2023.
Ballymacool Residents’ Association had lodged a submission against the proposed plans.
Planners have, in recent days, granted the go-ahead for 49 dwelling houses comprising 18 four-bed semi-detached houses, 30 three-bed semi-detached houses and one three bed detached house, with associate site works at Ballymacool.
Twenty-two conditions are attached to the planning permission go-ahead, including that the development is carried out strictly in accordance with lodged plans submitted in September 2023.
Prior to the first occupation of any dwelling, all infrastructure including service connections to existing utility networks, footpaths and public lighting is to be completed.
A further stipulation is that the dwellings subject of the permission are to be used as permanent houses only, and not for the purpose of holiday homes.
In October last, families of The Forest, Ballymacool, were told they had until April 12, 2024 to vacate their homes as their houses were being put up for sale.
The move came as Phil Boyle, of the London-based company Twin Estates, sought planning permission from Donegal County Council to develop a further 52 houses in Ballymacool.
Mr Boyle wrote to the affected tenants, saying that the decision ‘was not one made lightly’.
He had vowed to work with the affected tenants.
At that time, it was envisaged eight homes in question would be purchased by Donegal County Council, and four by the Housing Agency.
However, that process could not be finalised until all appropriate tests were carried out on the properties.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr Boyle said he was “delighted” to have the protracted development over the line. But he has called for better resources around planning – if the county’s spiraling housing crisis is to be resolved.
“I am delighted that planning permission has eventually been granted for 49 houses in Ballymacool. The planning application has been a long-drawn-out process that has been ongoing for a year and a half.
“Housing or lack of it is the single biggest issue in the country at the moment. In Donegal, this issue is further exacerbated by the Mica Issue.
Planning therefore needs to be better, to do better. Planning needs to be more proactive. It may be a case that not enough resources are allocated to it. If so, the government needs to put more resources into it. Its not good enough that an application, especially for much needed housing, takes 18 months to process.”
Mr Boyle said several houses in Ballymacool were tested, and were subsequently sold privately.
He added: “Donegal County Council have expressed an interest in nine houses under the Tenat-in-Situ Scheme. Samples were taken from all these houses on June 21, 2024. I am expecting results back on or around the 13th of September. If the results are good, I hope that the Council will then progress to purchase these houses in a timely manner. If they are not interested, I will be proceeding to sell the houses privately.”
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