Donegal planning

Prior to investing time, energy and money into your development it is essential that you undertake comprehensive research to ensure that you maximise the possibility of your planning application being successful. There are currently 31 Planning Authorities within the Republic of Ireland. Although the planning permission application and regulatory process is uniform throughout, individual Planning Authorities have varying objectives and visions of future developments within their local areas. Whether your development is residential, agricultural, commercial or industrial, the probability of your application being successful will be greatly enhanced if it is in keeping with the objectives of the County Donegal Planning Authority.

Planning Permission Ireland has every resource necessary to enable you to navigate your path through County Donegal’s planning process. From within our site, you can access guidelines, advice and detailed information specific to your proposed development and location. All frequently requested planning permission guidelines and information can be accessed via our Home Page drop-down menus. E.g. Planning Permission Ireland “Getting Started”, “Application Process”, ”Self Build” “Local Needs”, “Plans & Drawings” etc. In addition, you may utilise Planning Permission Ireland’s AI assisted Chatbot for more specific information with regard to County “Donegal Development Plan”, County “Donegal Local Area Plans”, “Building Regulations”, “National Planning Framework”, “Regional Spatial & Economic Strategies” etc.

To ensure that proposed planning and developments are in keeping with the economic, social and community needs of specific areas Planning Authorities adhere to a planning hierarchy as set out within Project Ireland 2040 and detailed below:

• National Planning Framework

• Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy

• County Donegal Development Plan

• County Donegal Local Area Plans

Donegal’s Planning Authority in deciding on a proposed planning application will be mindful of the overriding objectives of both the National Planning Framework as set out by the Department of Housing Local Government & Heritage and the Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy as set out by Regional Authorities. The Planning Authority will then ensure that your application is in keeping with both the Donegal Development Plan in addition to the Local Area Plan specific to the town or village where you propose to construct your development. If your proposed development is located within a rural area of Donegal your application will most likely be subjected to a Local Needs Assessment by the Donegal Planning Authority.

For example, a planning application to development a 100 unit 5 storey apartment block would have a greater likelihood of being successful in Letterkenny than on the outskirts of Laghy Village. Likewise a Planning Application to develop a one off residential bungalow would be more in keeping with the local area planning objectives of Burnfoot than that of Ballybofey.

Having carried out research into your proposed development you may find that planning permission is not required as Donegal Planning Authority may consider your project to be an Exempted Development. Considerable planning permission exemptions are afforded to agricultural developments in addition to small-scale residential extensions, alterations and renovations.

Prior to commencement (see Commencement Notices for more details) of any works regardless of size, scale or nature of your proposed development it is prudent to seek clarity from Donegal Planning Authority with regard to planning permission requirements. Construction, alteration or renovation of lands or structures which require planning permission that has not been applied for and granted may be deemed to be an Unauthorised Development by the Donegal Planning Authority and could lead to avoidable protracted and costly Enforcement Proceedings.

In order to avoid the pitfalls of lodging a Planning Application that is unsuitable or not in keeping with the Donegal Development Plan or your specific location’s Local Area Plan it is essential that you determine that your proposed development is compatible with the Planning Authority’s objectives. If you feel that your proposed development may not be fully in keeping with Donegal’s Development Plan or Local Area Plan objectives it would be wise to schedule a Pre Planning Consultation / Meeting with your local authority. We encourage you to maximise the comprehensive resources which Planning Permission Ireland provides, as we assist you on your journey.

Donegal Development Plan
(Draft)

Download your local planning authority’s development plan here.

Volume 1

• Written Statement

Local Area Plans

• Included here in Written Statement

Other

• Environmental Report

• Flood Risk Assessment

• Natura Impact Report

• Strategic Water Status Impact Assessment