By Chris Ashmore

ANYONE planning to build a holiday home in Donegal could be hit with a charge of €20,000 if proposed new council development charges are adopted by councillors.

This week councillors agreed that what is known as the County Donegal Draft Development Contribution Scheme should now go out for a six week public consultation period. The scheme outlines a range of charges associated with developments, and the money raised is used towards the provision of infrastructure ranging from the provision of footpaths, roads and car parking to sewers, water treatment facilities and landscaping.

This is an important source of income for the Council, and details of the new proposed charges have been circulated to councillors, who after the public consultation, will have the final say before they come into effect.

During a discussion on the proposals as they now stand, a number of councillors questioned a €20,000 development charge for new holiday homes.

Cllr. Niamh Kennedy felt that “it was very large” while Cllr. Ali Farren suggested that it was “anti-tourism” and added “you may as well say go to Spain!”

Several councillors also raised concerns about charges for campervan developments. According to the new draft scheme, all development proposals shall be index-linked from March 1 each year. The charge for a new house will range from €3,000 to €6,500, depending on the size.

Charges for commercial developments are set to rise as well. Most of the development charges being proposed the council are still considerably lower than in other local authority areas.