Development plan · Donegal County Council
County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied)
The council's development plan written statement: its strategy, policies, objectives and development standards.
Donegal County Council · 2024–2030 · 783 pages
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- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 469 Chapter 19 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plan Table 19.4 Transport/Sustainable Mobility Strategy for Ballybofey/Stranorlar. Map Ref. Location/ Name Priority/Project Description Key Benefits Strategic Roads 1. General Section 1 of the TEN-T PRIPD including strategic realignment of the N15/N13 and provision of the associated link road • Improved strategic/regional connectivity. • Reduced traffic congestion and air pollution. • New sustainable mobility opportunities Sustainable Mobility 2. General A compact development form including locating residential development adjacent to jobs and retail, education and community services. • Reduced travel demand. • Facilitate modal shift toward walking, cycling and public transport. 3. Drumboe Avenue Provision of pedestrian facilities Enhanced/safer active travel connectivity to/from St Columba’s College. 4. Drumboe Avenue to Drumboe Road Provision of an active travel link Enhanced permeability between Drumboe Avenue and Finn Valley College/Drumboe Road. 5. Millbrae Shared footpath/cycle path on the eastern side, a pedestrian crossing at the northern end of and new roadside parking arrangements on Millbrae. Enhanced/safer connectivity for pedestrian and vulnerable road users between residential areas in Stranorlar and St Mary’s Primary School and Finn Valley Centre. 6. Sessiagh (O Neill) Pedestrian/ cycling connectivity over the Burn Daurnett and associated connecting footpaths (PG 21/04 refers). Enhanced/safer pedestrian and cycling connectivity between Sessiagh (O Neill) and Ballybofey Town Centre. 7. Letterkenny Road (N13) Active travel infrastructure including new sections of footpath on the south eastern side of the Letterkenny road. • Enable development of compact residential sites NR 1.11 and NR 1.12 • Improved connectivity between Letterkenny Road residential areas and Stranorlar Town centre/Finn Valley Centre/local primary schools. 8. Chapel Lane Active travel and parking improvements. • Enhanced/safer active travel connectivity between the Dunwiley area and Stranorlar Town centre. • Improved parking arrangements. 9. Dunwiley Road (Southern end) Footpath Completion Enhanced/safer active travel connectivity between the Dunwiley Road area and Stranorlar Town centre/Finn Valley Centre/local primary schools. 10. Old Stranorlar to Strabane Railway Line Active travel link along the old Stranorlar to Strabane Railway Line Note: Indicative Route Shown. Final route will be determined by a formal Route Selection Process. • Direct connectivity between residential areas in eastern Stranorlar and St Mary’s Primary School/the Finn Valley centre. • Part of future wider greenway network. 11. Old Stranorlar to Donegal Greenway along the old Stranorlar to Donegal Town Railway Line • Direct connectivity between southern residential areas and town centre areas.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 470 Chapter 19 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plan Map Ref. Location/ Name Priority/Project Description Key Benefits Town Railway Line Note: Indicative Route Shown. Final route will be determined by a formal Route Selection Process. • Part of future Stranorlar to Donegal Town greenway. 12. Millbrae- Navenny Road to Ballybofey Town Centre. Active travel improvements including footpath improvements and cycling facilities. • Enhanced/safer active travel connectivity between southern residential communities and Ballybofey Town Centre and Finn Valley Centre and Stranorlar Primary Schools. • Enhanced recreational loop around Ballybofey/Stranorlar. 13. Navenny Road and Trusk Road area Active travel improvements. • Enhanced town centre permeability. • Improved Pedestrian/cyclist safety. 14. River Finn Pedestrian Bridge Recreational link to Drumboe Woods. Direct connection between Ballybofey Main Street and Drumboe Woods 15. General The provision/improvement as necessary of other network of walkways and cycleways. Improved connectivity between existing and new residential communities and employment, retail and community/recreational services and amenities and sporting facilities. 16. Golf Course Road Footpath Extension Enhanced pedestrian connectivity to local sporting amenity (Ballybofey Golf Club). 17. N15 axis through Ballybofey and Stranorlar General active travel improvements (e.g. provision of additional pedestrian crossings) Enhanced active travel connectivity permeability and safety. Sustainable Mobility and Local Roads 18. Glenfinn Street And Donegal Road • Pedestrian improvements on Glenfinn Street. • New enabling link between Glenfinn Street and Donegal Road Note: An Options Selection Process to identify the most optimal solution is currently in progress. In any event, both the approved link alongside the Mulrine’s Factory and the Dr Mulrine’s House site/adjoining lands represent key opportunities to create said link and have been mapped. • Enhanced/safer pedestrian and cycling connectivity between Glenfinn road area and the town centre. • Improved overall connectivity between the Glenfinn Road and Donegal Road areas. 19. Millbrae/N15 Improvements to junction of Millbrae/N15 and reconfiguration of existing parking. • Enhanced safety, • Improved pedestrian facilities. • Reduced traffic congestion. 20. Trusk Road to Donegal Road Developer led connection (including road, footpaths and cycling infrastructure) Improved pedestrian, cycling and vehicular connectivity between Trusk Road and Donegal Road.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 471 Chapter 19 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plan Map Ref. Location/ Name Priority/Project Description Key Benefits between Trusk Road and Donegal Road via Opp Site 2. 21. Logue’s Bridge Replacement bridge with suitable vehicular, pedestrian and cycling facilities subject to consideration of the finalized Section 1 TEN-T PRIPD design. Improved/safer local pedestrian, cycling and vehicular connectivity. Parking/Traffic Management 22. N15 (From 80kph speed limit sign at western end of Ballybofey/Stra norlar to Cappry 60kph speed limit sign) Provision of Active Travel Facilities Enhanced active travel infrastructure and associated safety benefits. 23. Back Lane Off road car parking provision as part of wider placemaking strategy within Ballybofey Stranorlar Regeneration and Action Plan. • Enhanced traffic management. • Improved pedestrian permeability. 24. Finn Valley Centre Additional/overflow Parking to cater for events including via dual use of parking within adjacent existing or future developments. • Enhanced traffic management. • Reduced traffic congestion. 25. Bus Parking Provision of general bus parking area within Ballybofey/Stranorlar. Alleviate traffic congestion arising from inappropriate parking of buses. 26. Ballybofey Town Centre Provision of loading bays. • Prevent vehicle parking on footpath. • Reduced traffic congestion. Objectives and policies to address the abovementioned transportation issues, and implement the above land transport/sustainable mobility strategy for Ballybofey/Stranorlar are set out below. Objectives BS-T-0-1 Should there be any ostensible or apparent conflict between, on the one hand, the Objectives, Policies and/or provisions of the Local Area Plan herein providing for the development of Section 2 of the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal (TEN-T PRIPD) and, on the other hand, any other Objectives, Policies and/or provisions of the Local Area Plan, those Objectives, Policies and Provisions which provide for the development of the TEN-T PRIPD shall take priority over all or any other provisions of the Local Area 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 Plan as provide for the development of the TEN-T PRIPD.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 472 Chapter 19 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plan BS-T-O-2 CC Deliver the projects listed in Table 19.4 the Transport/Sustainable Mobility Strategy above. BS-T-O-3 CC Seek to prepare a detailed Local Transport Plan for Ballybofey/Stranorlar during the lifetime of the plan in accordance with relevant National Best Practice Guidance. Policy BS-T-P-1 It is a policy of the Council to support and facilitate the appropriate development, extension and improvement of the TEN-T network within the Ballybofey/Stranorlar area subject to environmental, safety and other planning considerations. In this regard it is a specific policy of the Council to: a) Progress and ultimately carry out/implement the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal within Ballybofey/Stranorlar 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 corridor for Section 1 of the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal within Ballybofey/Stranorlar as shown on the Zoning Map 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 carrying out/implementation of the said project. c) Facilitate any development related to the TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project, Donegal within Ballybofey/Stranorlar within lands zoned: • TEN-T PRIPD/Established Development 1 and TEN-T PRIPD Established Development 2. • TEN-T PRIPD/Opportunity Site. • TEN-T PRIPD/ Local Environment 1 and TEN-T PRIPD/Local Environment 2. • TEN-T PRIPD/Open Space and Recreation.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 473 Chapter 19 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plan
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 474 Chapter 19 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plan 19.8 Flooding Ballybofey/Stranorlar lies within the catchment of the River Finn, which flows sinuously west to east through the urban area and is joined by a number of tributaries including notably the Burn Daurnett, the Backless/Kilross and the Mullaghgarry streams. The OPW’s national CFRAMs Programme mapped, and identified measures to manage, flood risk in certain areas including Ballybofey/Stranorlar. The associated mapping available on floodinfo.ie indicates that: • Flood Zone A (i.e. 1:100 year/1% Annual Exceedance Probability flood risk area) covers a significant portion of the plan area including areas to the south of Railway Road and along the Burn Daurnett. • Flood Zone B (i.e. 1:1000 year/1% Annual Exceedance Probability flood risk area) covers a significant part of Ballybofey Town Centre. Figure 19.2 High End Future Scenarios Flood Zone A and Flood Zone B The 2009 Flood Risk Management Guidelines adopts a precautionary approach to flooding and sets out a sequential approach including: avoiding development at risk from flooding, substituting a land use development where avoidance is not possible, justifying a proposed land use in strategic circumstances where avoidance/substitution is not possible and mitigating any residual flood risk. The guidelines identify a hierarchy of flood risk areas and the types of development acceptable in same namely: • Flood Zone A: Water Compatible Development (e.g. open space, outdoor sports and recreation) • Flood Zone B: Less Vulnerable Development (e.g. Retail, leisure, warehousing, commercial) • Flood Zone C: High Vulnerable Development (e.g. Dwellings, Essential infrastructure, Schools) Chapter 8.4 of the wider Development Plan sets out appropriate flood risk management policies for the entire county including Ballybofey/Stranorlar in accordance with the above Guidelines. Furthermore, in accordance with these guidelines this town Plan specifically: • Only provides for appropriate water compatible development types in Flood Zone A by zoning these areas Local Environment 2 and Open Space and Recreation.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 475 Chapter 19 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plan • Facilitates mixed use town centre development including residential development within Flood Zone B within part of Ballybofey and Stranorlar town centres in accordance with a development plan justification test as part of the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment of the wider development plan as inter alia this area is essential to facilitate the regeneration and expansion of the centre of the urban settlement. The Ballybofey/Stranorlar Flood Relief Scheme aims to identify, design, and deliver a scheme to alleviate flood risk in the twin towns. The scheme must be technically, socially, environmentally and economically acceptable to the community and also meet the standards of the EU Floods Directive. The viable scheme identified as part of the national CFRAM study (2018) is currently subject to project level assessment. It comprises mainly of construction of hard defences and associated works in locations within the towns and surrounding areas, chiefly along the banks of the following water bodies: Finn, Burn Daurnett, Goland, Carrickmagrath, Sessiagh, Cooladawson, Treanamullin, Magherapaste, and Lough Alaan as well as its associated watercourses. The identification of preferred measures is currently ongoing as part of the project level assessment and once complete the relevant planning consents will be sought. The project team have worked proactively with adjacent projects to overcome flood related challenges and realise co-benefits and as the scheme progresses opportunities to develop new and existing public realm interfaces such as bankside walks of the various rivers will be considered, where possible. Policy BS-F-P-1 Support and facilitate the implementation of the Ballybofey/Stranorlar Flood Relief Scheme subject to the requirements of the Habitats Directive. 19.9 Urban Regeneration and Town Centre Development The creation of a socially and economically vibrant, multifunctional, visually attractive, and sustainably accessible urban environment is critical to strengthening the overall capacity of Ballybofey/Stranorlar and fulfilling its role as a |County Growth Driver in the context of the wider development plan. The Twin Towns currently provides a robust retail, hospitality and service offering for the Finn Valley and beyond including: the iconic McElhinney’s Department Store (which provides a destination retail outlet with significant local economic spinoff), national and multinational convenience retail stores, cultural facilities (e.g. the Butt Hall Centre/Balor Arts Centre), 3 large hotels, a number of café’s restaurants and public houses, and a variety of smaller retail outlets and services. In addition, Ballybofey Main Street, Navenny Street, and part of Stranorlar Main street, displays a relatively strong urban structure and stout streetscape with a good sense of enclosure with many buildings of a vernacular character. In this regard it is important the that the Plan continues to facilitate retailing, hospitality, service and cultural needs of the town. However, notwithstanding these key assets, a number of key urban regeneration/town centre challenges and issues are evident namely: • Vacancy and Dereliction: The town centre suffers from a high level of commercial and residential vacancy which is particularly prevalent around Ballybofey Main Street, Navenny Street, Glenfinn Street, the Diner Site on, and the eastern end of, Stranorlar Main Street. This not only detracts from the physical appearance and liveability of the town centre, but also affects the commercial viability of existing developments and deters further investment.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 476 Chapter 19 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plan Ballybofey Stranorlar Figure 19.3 Vacant and Derelict Properties Within Ballybofey/Stranorlar (Source Geodirectory) • Traffic Congestion: The town centre suffers from significant traffic congestion along the N15/13 axes and a key junctions (e.g. Ballybofey Main Street with Glenfinn Street, Navenny Street and Chestnut Road and at McClay’s Corner) arising high volumes of strategic traffic and a general over reliance on the car. This negatively impacts on quality of life, the viability of local business and the visual appearance of the town. • Vehicle dominated/poor pedestrian urban environment: Whilst pedestrian infrastructure has improved in recent years a significant portion of the town is vehicle dominated both socially and visually which hinders active travel and detracts from the overall townscape and quality of life. • Lack of Central Civic Space/Poor Public Realm: Both Ballybofey and Stranorlar Town centre lack central civic spaces for people to meet and socially interact in, to host events and act an identifiable and attractive focal point for the town. In addition, whilst Ballybofey Main Street and Stranorlar Main Street benefit from a continuous footpaths and sporadic planting these area would significantly benefit from public realm improvements including: hard and soft landscaping, planting, seating etc. • Lack of Urban Green Space: Public consultation for the Ballybofey/Stranorlar Regeneration Strategy identified the lack of a public park as a significant deficiency. The provision of a high quality green space with passive and active recreation within the urban core would provide an important recreational and visual amenity, enhance the overall liveability of, and attract visitors to, the twin towns. • Underutilised Back lands: Whilst Ballybofey town centre generally has a high density urban core areas along Chestnut Road, to the north of Back lane and also to the rear of Stranorlar Main Street remain relatively underutilised for a town centre location. • A lack of direct connectivity Between Ballybofey Town Centre and Drumboe Woods: Drumboe woods represents invaluable recreational asset and green space in close physical proximity to the Ballybofey Town Centre however its useability is restricted by the lack of a direct physical access across the river Finn. The SEED Project (led by the Council’s Regeneration and Development Team) aims to tackle a significant number of these issues by the delivery of 3 transformative and inter- related urban regeneration interventions in the centre of Ballybofey Town Centre including: • The provision of new open accessible multiuse Civic space at the heart of the town for people to meet/gather in, to host events, and businesses to spill out onto with a permeable paved surface with landscaping and seating, bespoke canopy, public convenience, a new façade and canopy structure for the Ballybofey shopping arcade and a enhanced link to the replacement car park. • The restoration and extension of the Old Ritz cinema (a NIAH Structure) including: the restoration of the heritage entrance block, and a new contemporary and a flexible enterprise space to the rear. • A new 2 no. storey replacement car park with additional capacity on the lands to the Ballybofey shopping centre and associated enhanced pedestrian avenue connecting to the above new civic space.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 477 Chapter 19 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plan Figure 19.4: SEED Urban Regeneration Project In addition, the Council endorsed Ballybofey/Stranorlar and Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan https://www.donegalcoco.ie/media/donegalcountyc/planning/regenerationprojects/ballybofeystranorlarregenerationstrategy/Ballybofey%20and%20Stranorlar%20Regeneration%20Strategy_April %202022.pdf provides an ambitious, long-term vision and conceptual framework for the regeneration of 7 key urban districts based on local placemaking strategies including many innovative proposals to address town centre issues and capitalise on local regeneration opportunities. These proposals include, for example: • The provision of a centrally located public park (Pentland Park) adjoining Ballybofey Town Centre (District 5 refers). • A new mixed-use development on the disused Fire Station/Diner site in Stranorlar including landscaping/public realm works and community led housing (District 2). • The provision of a multiuse community hub and accessible living accommodation on the site of the Old St Mary’s National School (District 3). • Future pedestrian enhancements on Ballybofey Main Street, Navenny Street and Glenfinn street and improved pedestrian connectivity between Ballybofey Main Street and Back lane (District 6). Figure 19.5 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan Districts
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 478 Chapter 19 Ballybofey/Stranorlar Area Plan However, it is also recognised that the proposals within the strategy are conceptual in nature and will require further feasibility studies, public consultation with relevant stakeholders, and detailed design refinement. In addition, many of the regeneration proposals are dependent on the completion of other enabling infrastructure projects (e.g. the TEN-T PRIPD, an alternative link between the Glenfinn Road and the Donegal Rd). In this regard the placemaking objectives and principles within the strategy may be achieved either by the proposals outlined in the strategy or by alternative proposals which may emerge from further study, consultation, and design work. Consequently, this Plan provides a flexible policy framework which accords with the district level placemaking objectives and principles outlined in Section 5.0 of the regeneration strategy (including alternatives to the interventions proposed therein) but also manages new development in a manner which protects the key opportunities identified in the strategy. In terms of tackling vacancy and dereliction in the urban core there now exists a range of initiatives and supports including the Town Centre First Initiative, the Croi Conaithe Towns Funds, energy retrofit supports, local authority supports (e.g. Buy and Renew, Repair and Lease and the Long terms leasing schemes) to aid the refurbishment and reuse of Vacant and Derelict town centre properties for both residential and commercial purposes. In this regard, based on Geodirectory vacancy and dereliction analysis and field surveys, the following priority areas in need of urban regeneration interventions within Ballybofey Main Street, Navenny Street, Glenfinn Street, and Stranorlar Main Street have been identified as in Figure 17.6 below. Figure 19.6 Priority Areas in Need of Urban Regeneration Interventions. In particular it is considered that increasing town centre living can bring significant benefits including enhanced socio-economic vibrancy, facilitation of more accessible and age friendly housing options, higher use of active travel modes (i.e. walking and cycling), and a more sustainable housing solutions through the reuse of existing building stock. Consequently, this plan will support proposals for the sensitive refurbishment and reuse of vacant and derelict town centre properties including the
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.