Proposed Variation (No .1) to the County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030
In January 2025 the Elected Members agreed to commence the preparation of a Proposed Variation of the Development Plan to:
Insert new Area Plans for An Clochán Liath (Dungloe), Ballyshannon, Bridgend, Carndonagh, Donegal Town and Killybegs into the Development Plan (to replace the current ‘Seven Strategic Towns Local Area Plan 2018-2024).
Amend the zoning of site NR2.16 at Cockhill, Buncrana – from ‘New Residential Phase 2’ to ‘New Residential Phase 1’.
Amend land use zonings on foot of Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) related landowner submissions, where appropriate, within affected settlements throughout Donegal.
A Pre-Draft Public Consultation on the Proposed Variation will take place from the 7th to the 28th of February 2025. An Issues and Options Paper has been published and the public can attend Drop In Events and make written submissions. See here for more details.
Ministerial Direction on the County Development Plan 2024-2030 (June 2024- Present)
In May 2024 the Elected Members formally made the County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030.
However, in June 2024 the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage issued a Draft Ministerial Direction concerning certain parts of the Development Plan.
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. The County Development Plan 2024-2030 and associated mapping (with those parts of the plan affected by the Draft Ministerial Direction highlighted) is published here.
In July 2024 A public consultation on the Draft Ministerial Direction took place and a Chief Executive’s Report on said consultation was then submitted to the Elected Members, the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR) and the Minister.
In September 2024 the OPR issued a recommendation to the Minister that he issue the Ministerial Direction with minor amendments.
The Minister is still considering the OPR’s recommendation prior to making a decision 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 Was 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
