Green light for major redevelopment of Fanad Head Visitors Centre

by Louise Doyle

THE green light has been given for a major redevelopment of Fanad Head Visitors Centre.

Applicant Údarás Na Gaeltachta lodged plans in April of this year for the redevelopment, including partial demolition of the existing ticket office and shop.

Under proposals, plans also comprised the erection of a new multi-use visitor experience centre for Fanad Head Lighthouse and the construction of 22 additional car parking spaces.

Three minibus/RV spaces, bus drop off area, external seating area and a children’s play area were also included in proposals submitted to planners.

The proposed development also included the upgrading of the existing wastewater treatment system, all landscaping, boundary treatments, entrance and pedestrian access, public lighting and all associated site works.

Donegal County Council has granted the go-ahead for the development, subject to 20 conditions.

These include that all mitigation measures contained in the Natura Impact Statement in order to preserve the integrity of the Horn Head to Fanad Special Protection Area (SPA) are implemented in full.

All infrastructure including service connections to existing utility supply networks, cycle ways, and landscaping must be completed prior to the first commercial operation of any part of the development.

In the interests of traffic safety, a further stipulation includes no parking of vehicles are permitted along the roadside frontage of the Visitor Centre.

To comply with the County Development Plan, signage shall be in the Irish language only, or if bilingual signage is proposed, 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.

All waste materials must be stored in the rear of buildings in environmentally safe conditions.

All waste must be stored in such a manner so as to ensure run off shall not seep into surface water drainage system.

Furthermore, on-site construction works shall be between the hours of 8am and 6pm between Monday to Friday and 8.30am and 3pm on Saturdays.

Works are to be excluded on Sundays and all bank holidays.

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