by Louise Doyle

A PLANNING application lodged with Donegal County Council for the provision of student accommodation in Letterkenny has been deemed invalid.

Applicant CR Renaissance Properties Ltd lodged planning permission for the provision of a purpose built student accommodation at the rear of 45 Main Street, Letterkenny.

Proposed plans comprised six one-bed studio apartment units, two four-bedspace apartment type units, five five-bedspace apartment type units, nine seven-bedspace apartment units, four six-bedspace apartments and nine eight-bedspace apartment units.

The proposed plans also included the provision of faculty management accommodation, plant rooms and bin storage.

According to the lodged plans, accommodation is proposed in two conjoined blocks, each with direct access from a proposed pedestrian link between Justice Walsh car park and Main Street, Letterkenny.

The link will incorporate a landscaped ‘communal art exhibition space’, as well as public parklet seating areas, the development of a landscaped internal courtyard along with the provision of a pedestrian link between Justice Walsh Car Park and Main Street Letterkenny.

The provision of a surface water attenuation system and connection to public services (foul sewer and surface water drain) at Rosemount were also contained in the proposal. But Planning Services have deemed the proposed development invalid on three grounds.

Planning Services pointed out to the applicant that the newspaper notice does not comply with the Planning and Development Regulations 2001.

The Planning Authority cites that the description is inadequate, in so far as the total number of bedspaces being provided shall be stated in the notices.

Planning Services also stated that the site layout does not comply with the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended).

“The site layout plan and other plans shall show the level or contours, where applicable, of the land and the proposed structures relative to Ordnance Survey datum or a temporary local benchmark, whichever is more appropriate.”

Furthermore, Planning Services said the plans, elevations and sections do not comply with the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended).

“The details on the elevation drawings do not match the details on the floor plans.”