County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied)

1. Page 151

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 148 Chapter 8 Infrastructure Public Transport Objectives T-O-6 CC To support and facilitate: a. the provision of new, and the expansion of existing public transport services and supporting infrastructure; and b. the use of emerging renewable energy technologies for the transport fleet. T-O-7 CC To secure the provision of a rail link between: a. Letterkenny and Derry; and b. Letterkenny and Sligo. T-O-8 To develop a centrally-located transport hub in Letterkenny and to seek to develop a dedicated bus corridor between the hub and the eastern edge of the town. Policy T-P-4 CC To collaborate with the National Transport Authority in the preparation and implementation of the ‘Connecting Ireland’ programme. Electric Vehicles Policy T-P-5 CC To facilitate the provision of off-street charging facilities, and to only facilitate on-street facilities where there are no alternatives. Any on-street charging facilities shall only be permitted where it is demonstrated that they do not create obstacles to other street users. Air Objective T-O-9 To sustain and enhance the services provided by Donegal Airport and City of Derry Airport. Policies T-P-6 To facilitate and enhance appropriate access to and expansion of Donegal airport subject to proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

2. Page 152

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 149 Chapter 8 Infrastructure T-P-7 To manage development proposals within the wider vicinity of Donegal Airport, Finner Camp and City of Derry Airport having regard to the safeguarding maps set out at the end of this Section (Map 8.1. refers) and to the Solar Safeguarding Zones for Carrickfinn, Ballyshannon (refers to Finner) and Letterkenny. Map 8.1 - Donegal Airport Safeguarding Historic Railway Corridors Policy T-P-8 It is a policy of the Council to protect established/historic railway corridors throughout the County: (a.) primarily for strategic infrastructure provision such as Roads (including those sections required for the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal, the Bridgend to County Border project, and the Buncrana Inner Relief Road), Greenways, and rail projects; and (b.) secondly for recreational development. Along these corridors other uses shall not be considered. Where these corridors have already been compromised by development, adjacent lands which could provide opportunities to bypass existing obstacles and reconnect these routes shall be protected for this

3. Page 153

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 150 Chapter 8 Infrastructure purpose. However, in all instances, the over-riding objective shall be the provision of strategic infrastructure. This policy will be implemented by the Council in so far as same can be practicably and reasonably achieved within the context of such Strategic Infrastructure Projects. Community Transport Schemes Policy T-P-9 To support and facilitate the development of public, semi-public and community transport projects and proposals which provide innovative solutions in rural, disadvantaged and border areas such as rural park and ride schemes, rural carpooling and car sharing schemes, park and cycle schemes and bus and taxi schemes in consultation with public, private and community organisations. Roads Objectives T-O-10 To safeguard the carrying capacity and safety of: i. National Roads and associated junctions in accordance with the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines for Planning Authorities (DECLG, 2012) and ii. The R238 Bridgend to Buncrana Regional Road. T-O-11 To deliver improvements to the Trans European Transport Network (TEN-T), (as required by EU Regulation (EU) No.1 58315/2013 “Guidelines for the development of the Trans European Transport Network as part of the core and comprehensive transport network of Ireland. In this regard it is a specific objective of the Council to: 1. a) Progress and ultimately carry out/implement the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal as one of critical strategic importance to Donegal subject to the granting of the required statutory approvals for same and the terms and conditions of any such approvals (if granted). b) Reserve the preferred route corridors of the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal as shown on maps 8.1.4, 8.1.5, and 8.1.6 for the purposes of the project and the ancillary facilities to service the same and not to permit other development within those corridors where such development may prejudice the implementation of the said project. 2. Progress and ultimately carry out/implement the N13 Bridgend to County Boundary Route Improvement TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal as one of critical strategic importance to Donegal subject to the granting of the required statutory approvals for same and the terms and conditions of any such approvals (if granted).

4. Page 154

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 151 Chapter 8 Infrastructure 3. Reserve the preferred option corridors (to be determined) for the purposes of the N13 Bridgend to County Boundary Route Improvement TEN-T Priority Route Improvement project and the ancillary facilities to service same and not to permit other development within those corridors where such development may prejudice the implementation of the said project. 4. Progress and ultimately carry out/implement further improvements to the TEN- T Comprehensive Network, Donegal, such as the N13 Stranorlar to Letterkenny and N13 Manorcunningham to Bridgend as one of critical strategic importance to Donegal, subject to the granting of the required statutory approvals for same and the terms and conditions of any such approvals (if granted). Reserve the preferred option corridors (to be determined) for the purposes of the projects and the ancillary facilities to service same and not to permit other development within those corridors where such development may prejudice the implementation of the said project. T-O-12 Should there be any ostensible or apparent conflict between, on the one hand, the Objectives, Policies and/or provisions of the development plan herein providing for the development of the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal (TEN-T PRIPD) and the N13 Bridgend to County Boundary TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, and on the other hand, any other Objectives, Policies and/or provisions of the development plan, those Objectives, Policies and Provisions which provide for the development of the TEN-T projects shall take priority over all or any other provisions of the development plan and any such other provisions or Objectives shall be read and construed as subservient to and not in any material way contravening so much of the Objectives, Policies and provisions contained within this development plan as provide for the development of the TEN-T projects. T-O-13 To achieve quality strategic and important inter-urban and cross border transport corridors, (including the A5 Western Transport Corridor) and support the development of new links to and within the North West City, Region, giving access to regional and international markets with links to sea, air and rail. T-O-14 To provide for high quality connectivity within the County in line with the Core Strategy through the promotion of a quality Strategic Road Network as identified on Map 8.1.2. T-O-15 To protect the corridors and routes and acquire the lands necessary for the transportation improvement projects as identified in Table 8.1A and 8.1B T-O-15A To safeguard the capacity and efficiency of the National Road network drainage system for National road drainage purposes. Policies T-P-10 It is a policy of the Council to support and facilitate the appropriate development, extension and improvement of the TEN-T network (Map 8.1.1 refers) within Donegal in accordance with the Core Strategy and subject to

5. Page 155

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 152 Chapter 8 Infrastructure environmental, safety and other planning considerations. In this regard it is a specific policy of the Council to: a. Progress and implement the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal as one of critical strategic importance to Donegal subject to the granting of the required statutory approvals and the terms and conditions of any such approvals (if granted). b. Reserve the preferred route corridors and the ancillary facilities of the TEN- T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal as shown on maps 8.1.4, 8.1.5, and 8.1.6 and not to permit other development within those corridors where such development may prejudice the implementation of the project. c. Facilitate any development related to the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal within lands zoned: i. TEN-T PRIPD/Established Development ii. TEN-T PRIPD/Amenity. d. Progress and ultimately implement the N13 Bridgend to County Boundary TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project as one of critical strategic importance to Donegal subject to the granting of the required statutory approvals for same and the terms and conditions of any such approvals (if granted). e. Progress and ultimately carry out/implement further improvements to the TEN-T Network, Donegal, such as the N13 Stranorlar to Letterkenny and N13 Manorcunningham to Bridgend as one of critical strategic importance to Donegal, subject to the granting of the required statutory approvals for same and the terms and conditions of any such approvals (if granted). Reserve the preferred option corridors (to be determined) for the purposes of the projects and the ancillary facilities to service same and not to permit other development within those corridors where such development may prejudice the implementation of the said project. T-P-11 It is a policy of the Council to support and facilitate: a. the appropriate development, extension and improvement of Donegal’s transport network, including the Strategic Road Network (Map 8.1.2refers), and roads identified in Table 8.1B in accordance with the Core Strategy and subject to environmental, safety and other planning considerations. b. It is a policy of the council not to permit development that would prejudice the implementation of a transport scheme identified in the Development Plan. T-P-12 a. It is a policy of the Council not to permit developments requiring new accesses, or which would result in the adverse intensification of existing access points onto: i. National Roads where the speed limit is greater than 60 kph; or ii. The section of the R238 Bridgend-Buncrana Regional Road where the speed limit is greater than 60 kph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in exceptional circumstances, developments of national and regional strategic importance where the locations concerned have specific characteristics that make them particularly suitable for the developments proposed may be considered, subject to such developments being provided for through the Local Area Plan or Development Plan making process, including in consultation with the TII.

6. Page 156

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 153 Chapter 8 Infrastructure b. Within the section of the N56 National Secondary Road between the Five Points Junction (Killybegs) and the Mountain Top Letterkenny (identified on Map 8.1.3A), development of one-off rural houses impacting on the National Secondary Road may be considered subject to the following: i. As a first preference, the applicant shall use an alternative access onto the public (County or Regional) road network where such an alternative is available and, in such circumstances a new access or intensification of an existing private access onto the National Secondary Road shall not be permitted; ii. As a second preference, the applicant shall use an existing private access (either family owned, or in third party ownership) onto the National Secondary Road where such a practical and realistic alternative is available and in such circumstances, a new access onto the National Secondary Road shall not be permitted; iii. A new access onto the National Secondary Road shall only be considered where the applicant has clearly demonstrated that the options identified in the immediately preceding paras. (a) and (b) are not available. c. Proposals shall only be considered where: i. • the applicant can provide evidence that they, or their parents, have owned the subject lands for a period of at least 7 years; • the applicant shall enter into a legal agreement under Section 47 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (As Amended), which agreement shall provide that the subject dwelling shall be occupied by the applicant as his/her principal place of residence for a minimum period of seven years commencing on the date of the first such use. ii. Proposals shall be required to demonstrate compliance with the requisite national roads design standards including the provision of relevant national vision lines and stopping sight distances. (T-P-12 policy is the subject of Draft Ministerial Direction to delete some of the policy and amend policy - for more information refer to www.donegaldevplan.ie or consult.donegal.ie. ) T-P-13 It is a policy of the Council to require that all new development proposed adjacent to existing and planned National Roads is set back 50m from the outside edge of the running carriageway unless existing buildings have formed an established building line in which case the new buildings may follow the established building line. T-P-14 It is a policy of the Council to require that any new access to strategic roads is designed in compliance with the road design standards required by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, avoiding the use of right turn lanes unless a clear warrant has been established. T-P-15 To implement the recommendations in the Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets (DMURS), (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government) in relation to urban streets and roads in the 50/60 kph zone and TII Publications Standard DN-GEO- 03084 ‘The Treatment of Transition Zones to Towns and Villages on National Roads’.

7. Page 157

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 154 Chapter 8 Infrastructure T-P-15A It is a policy of the Council for developments affecting the national road network to require the provision of Traffic and Transport Assessments in accordance with the requirements of the ‘TII Traffic & Transport Assessment Guidelines (2014)’ (refer to ‘Requirement for Safety Audit’, Chapter 16, ‘Technical Standards’).’ T-P-15B Large out-of-town retail centres shall generally not be supported. T-P-15C It is a policy of the Council to control the proliferation of non-road traffic signage on and adjacent to national roads in accordance with Section 3.8 of the DoECLG ‘Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines’ and TII’s ‘Policy on the Provision of Tourist & Leisure Signage on National Roads (March 2011). T-P-15D It is a policy of the Council to require that development proposals in the vicinity of existing or proposed national roads shall include the identification of noise mitigation measures, where warranted. Such required measures shall be implemented by the developer. Parking Policies T-P-16 Parking proposals within designated town centres will only be supported: a. for commercial developments - in exceptional circumstances, where there is a clearly evidenced significant shortfall of existing available parking and where the provision of such parking would not prejudice the delivery of any relevant regeneration, active travel or public transport initiatives; b. for residential and other developments appropriate to the town centre - generally, only where such parking can be discretely accommodated within the development, and where the development design satisfies the town centre urban design ambitions of the Council. In all other cases, a development contribution will be levied using the framework of the Development Contribution Scheme in force at the time of deciding on any application for planning permission. T-P-17 To support the principle of the development of additional park and ride/share hubs in the commuter villages around Letterkenny including Kilmacrennan, Ramelton, Newtowncunningham, Manorcunningham, Ballinalacky (Raphoe Environs), Ballindrait, Lifford, Ballybofey/Stranorlar and Convoy.

8. Page 158

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 155 Chapter 8 Infrastructure

9. Page 159

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 156 Chapter 8 Infrastructure 8.2 Water and Wastewater Infrastructure 8.2.1 Introduction High quality surface and ground waters, the provision of adequate wastewater treatment and a safe, clean, reliable supply of drinking water are crucial to socio-economic development, human health, biodiversity, tourism, and agriculture. In this regard sufficient water and wastewater infrastructure including adequate treatment capacity are essential prerequisites to achieving the overall growth ambition and range of development envisaged in this Plan and ensuring adequate environmental protection. Since 2014 Irish Water has been the national authority for the provision and maintenance of public water and wastewater infrastructure and is supported by Donegal County Council in this function through service level agreements. However, to achieve the above aim the Council and this Plan have a key role in: ensuring new development is aligned with the provision of water/wastewater infrastructure, facilitating such infrastructure, rigorously assessing proposals for individual wastewater treatment systems, facilitating sustainable solutions for developer provided infrastructure, protecting water services assets, requiring water sensitive urban design, and supporting water restoration/protection programmes and group water schemes. 8.2.2 Water Infrastructure Public Water Infrastructure Donegal has a geographically extensive water collection and supply network in both urban and rural areas covering 21 water resource zones (WRZ) including the Pollan Dam and Lough Mourne Water supply assets. There have been significant water supply network improvements in recent years for example to the Letterkenny water supply, and at the Illies, Crolly, Lough Mourne, Milford, Fanad and Culdaff water treatment plants. In addition, a countywide watermain rehabilitation project to replace older watermains has been recently completed and there is an ongoing countywide leakage reduction programme. Consequently, whilst certain Level of Services improvements are required in certain areas, the Irish Water Supply Capacity Register indicates a positive water supply capacity picture overall and it is envisaged that there will be sufficient water supply to accommodate projected growth over the development plan period. Private Water Infrastructure There are over 600 private group water supply schemes in the County utilising both public and privately sourced water. The Council has responsibility for administering funding and subsidies for such schemes and the Rural Water Programme funds source protection, public health compliance, network upgrades, and the transfer of such schemes to the public network. In addition to these public and private water networks many individual properties in the county are served by private wells/boreholes. Lough Mourne Lough Mourne provides the water supply for most of the Finn Valley area including the settlements of Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Killygordon, Castlefin, Lifford, Raphoe and Convoy. It is understood from local knowledge that the lough is supplied in part by underground water supplies although there is no known accurate record of where these sources are located. Given the strategic importance of the Lough Mourne supply, it is imperative that it is protected.

10. Page 160

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    County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 157 Chapter 8 Infrastructure 8.2.3 Wastewater Infrastructure Public Wastewater Infrastructure Donegal’s wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure network is predominately confined to urban settlements and the extent and capacity of this network varies considerably by settlement. On a positive note, many of Donegal’s larger urban settlements have spare wastewater treatment capacity to facilitate new development. In addition, the table below outlines wastewater treatment capacity improvement projects which have been completed, are in progress or are due to commence (June 2022). Table 8.2.1: Status of Irish Water Wastewater Treatment Capacity Improvement Projects (June 2022) Category Settlement Completed Ballybofey/Stranorlar, Bundoran, Convoy, Dungloe, Glencolmcille, Glenties, Killybegs, and St Johnston Construction Carrigans, Lifford, Killea Ongoing Projects at previously untreated settlements Ramelton, Rathmullan, Falcarragh, Kilcar, Moville, Burtonport, Kerrykeel, Coolatee and Burtonport, Detailed Design Buncrana, Milford, Ballintra, Carrigart, Kilmarcrenan, and Pettigo Design Scheduled to Commence Ballyliffin, Dunfanaghy/Portnablagh, Fahan, Muff and Raphoe The Irish Water Small Towns and Villages Growth Programme (STVGP) aims to provide funding for water and wastewater treatment growth capacity in smaller settlements already served by IW infrastructure but not covered in the IW Capital Investment plan. This programme is currently funding a project to transfer effluent from Mountcharles to the Donegal Town network and will be continued during the plan period. The Council considers that this programme will therefore be essential in addressing widespread wastewater treatment capacity issues in small settlements. In addition, Irish Water is also pursuing an innovative project to provide sewage collection/treatment at An Bun Beag/Doiri Beaga and is undertaking ongoing programmes of sewer rehabilitation and capital maintenance. Irish Water does not have a remit for the provision of infrastructure in unsewered settlements. However, government funding is now available for Local Authorities to provide wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure for such settlements under Measure A8 of the Multiannual Rural Water Programme. Where appropriate the council will utilise this mechanism to obtain funding for wastewater infrastructure in such settlements and will work in collaboration with the DHLGH and Irish Water to implement such solutions thereafter. However, it is acknowledged that currently many smaller towns and villages continue to have either inadequate sewage treatment capacity or in some instances no wastewater collection network which significantly hinders their future development. In particular the EPA Report Urban Wastewater Treatment 2021 highlighted the issue of raw sewage discharge to seas/rivers at Moville and Rathmullan, Ramelton, Kerrykeel, Falcarragh, Burtonport, Kilcar and Coolatee, periodic wastewater contamination of surface water overflows in Buncrana, and risks to surface waters arising from insufficient treatment at Bridgend, Burnfoot, Buncrana, Milford and Kilmacrennan. Private Wastewater Infrastructure Almost 200 multiple residential developments in Donegal have been identified by Irish Water as relying on developer provided wastewater treatment systems, many of which have a history of malfunctioning due to poor installation or lack of maintenance. The government’s multiannual Developer P rovided

Source Donegal County Council: County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied) (2024–2030) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.