Latest Update September 2024
On the 16th of May 2024 the Elected Members of Donegal County Council formally made the County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030.
However, on the 26th of June 2024 the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage issued a Draft Ministerial Direction under Section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (As Amended) concerning certain objectives, policies, and land use zonings within the Development Plan (including within the Buncrana and Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plans).
On the 26th of June 2024 the County Development Plan 2024-2030 came into effect except those parts of the plan affected by the Draft Ministerial Direction.
A public consultation on the Draft Ministerial Direction took place between Friday 5th July and Thursday 18th July 2024.
A Chief Executive’s Report on said public consultation was published and submitted to the Elected Members, the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) and the Minister.
On the 2nd of September 2024 the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR), having considered said Chief Executive’s Report and direct submissions from the Elected Members, issued a recommendation to the Minister that he issue the Ministerial Direction with minor amendments. Said amendments related to an Amenity Zoning in Creeslough and a typographical correction. A notice of the OPR’s recommendation was published by said Department on the 21st of September.
The Minister will now consider the OPR’s recommendation prior to making a decision (within 6 weeks of the OPR’s recommendation) on whether to issue the Direction with or without minor amendments.
Overview of the County Development Plan
The Development Plan sets out an overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of Donegal from 2024-2030 and includes text, objectives, policies, and maps.
It helps to guide future decisions around, for example, housing, regeneration, economic development, transport, and built and natural heritage.
The Plan also contains Area Plans for Buncrana, Ballybofey/Stranorlar, and Bundoran.
An overall summary of the key points in the Draft Plan (including the above Area Plans) is available here
How the County Development Plan Is Made
The Draft Plan was agreed by the County Councillors following public consultation and was prepared with the support of the Council’s planning section.
Overall the plan was made in 3 stages over a 2-year period namely.
Stage 1: Pre-Draft Preparation
Stage 2: Draft Plan
Stage 3: Materials Alterations to the draft plan
