DONEGAL County Council has given the green light for a major pharmacy extension in Castlefinn.
Applicant Castlefinn Partnership Initiative (CPI) lodged plans with the planning authority in July of this year. Under proposals, the applicant sought planning permission for the construction of a two-storey extension consisting of a ground floor extension to existing pharmacy and créche accommodation at first floor level at existing community centre in Castlefinn.
In a report to Donegal County Council in August 2023, the Loughs Agency said it had no objection in principle to the proposed development. It outlined a number of steps the applicant could take to prevent pollution of surface waters which is detrimental to fisheries.
The statutory body is charged with the conservation, protection and development of inland fisheries within the Foyle and Carlingford systems. It is responsible for the promotion of the development of Loughs Foyle and Carlingford, and catchments for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fisheries and aquaculture issues and the development of marine tourism.
Its report to Donegal County Council states: “The potential for deleterious matter to enter a watercourse is of primary concern. Impacts on the aquatic environment such as a decrease in water quality can cause significant impact upon various life history stages of fish species.
“The Loughs Agency requests that all storm water from the development site should not be discharged to nearby watercourses unless first passed through pollution interception and flow attenuation measures.
“Storm water can carry pollutants into watercourses and high volume discharges can alter the prevailing hydrological regime, both of which can impact on fisheries interests. It is essential that silt traps and settlement ponds are utilised and are capable of settling out materials prior to discharging off site.”
The agency said that adequate containment should be provided for all chemical and oil storage on the site.
“The provision of bunds should be in accordance with the appropriate Irish Standards.
“Loughs Agency request that work methods and materials must not impinge upon any nearby watercourses. The use of cement/concrete on site will require careful management. While they are versatile building materials, they are also highly toxic to aquatic life and therefore must be kept out of all drains and watercourses.”
Permission has been granted for the development, subject to six conditions which include measures to prevent flooding. The CPI’s own building sustained serious flood damage as a result of flooding in 2015, which caused significant destruction and distress for residents, business owners and service providers in the town.
In order to prevent flooding, no surface water from the site shall be permitted to discharge to public road the applicant is to take steps to ensure that no public road water discharges onto the site. No surface water shall be permitted to discharge to the public foul sewer network.
Other conditions include that the water supply shall be from the public watermains in the interests of orderly development and public health. Additionally, signage shall be in the Irish language only, or if bilingual signage is posted, then the Irish language shall be first and shall be of an area. size and prominence that is at least equal to or greater than the area, size and prominence of other languages. To cater for the orderly development and in the interests of residential amenity, on site works shall be between the hours of 8am and 6pm between Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 3pm on Saturday. No works are permitted to take place on Sundays or Bank Holidays.
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