County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (As Varied)

1. Page 521

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 519 Chapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán LiathChapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán Liath The Regeneration Strategy develops a range of regeneration priorities which have been identified in the prior Stage 1 Baseline Profile for An Clochán Liath Urban Core. These priorities are a result of a thorough analysis, including a review of the state and functioning of the urban core; its physical, economic and policy/legislative context. A targeted and robust consultation process carried out as part of Stage 1 also informed the emerging priorities. Stage 1 highlighted An Clochán Liath’s many assets, including its attractive seaside setting, its relatively healthy and vibrant Main Street, its cultural and Gaeltacht heritage; its strong festival history and its strategic location as a ‘gateway/base’ to the wider Rosses area. Stage 1 also confirmed particular issues impacting on the urban core of the town including the low-quality public realm and lack of public spaces, vacancy and dereliction along Main Street, a declining youth population and a disconnect and overall failure to capitalise on the attractive waterfront. Therefore, it is recognised that there is a need for intervention and to have a Strategy in place to address the challenges that the urban core of the town faces over the coming years, and to unlock the great potential that the place has in an ambitious yet realistic and sustainable manner. Fig.21.3 An Clochán Liath Town Centre Masterplan The Strategy has been developed to help drive this revitalisation. It is a regeneration focused road map that identifies a range of potential improvements and new developments to regenerate the town that will result in environmental, economic and social benefits. It also aims to be a catalyst for further benefits thereby strengthening the capacity of the town centre to perform competitively as an important Strategic Town and likewise addressing local needs. Please note that the Regeneration Strategy & Action Plan is intended to be aspirational and flexible to change/ interventions over the course of its lifetime. In no way or form, are the actions and the associated content contained therein agreed and/or committed plans or designs. Conceptual sketches are merely an artist’s impression of potential ideas of how particular spaces may look, alternatives may also be appropriate. The objectives for the Urban Core that are specific to An Clochán Liath are as follows and should be read in conjunction with the general objectives of this County Development Plan.

2. Page 522

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 520 Chapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán LiathChapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán Liath Objectives ACL-UCR-O-1 To bring the concept proposals contained in the An Clochán Liath Town Centre Regeneration Strategy & Action Plan through the processes of detailed design, stakeholder engagement and any required statutory approval processes and thereafter to deliver on the collaborative vision of the Strategy. ACL-UCR-O-2 Introduce measures to maximise accessibility into and out of the town’s urban core, most particularly at the junction of Main Street and Carnmore Road. ACL-UCR-O-3 Encourage and facilitate the development/reuse of brownfield and vacant sites within the urban core of An Clochán Liath. ACL-UCR-O-4 Provide for the enhancement of An Clochán Liath Main Street by means of an environmental improvement scheme that would address, inter alia, street clutter, street furniture, signage, paving details, configuration of parking and pedestrian facilities. ACL-UCR-O-5 Improve the vernacular character and appearance of An Clochán Liath Urban Core particularly in terms of shop front designs. ACL-UCR-O-6 Provide for stronger integration of An Clochán Liath Main Street and the adjacent shorefront area. Policies ACL-UCR-P-1 Support the ambitions and principles of An Clochán Liath Town Centre Regeneration Strategy & Action Plan. ACL-UCR-P-2 Require that development proposals within the urban core are broadly consistent with, and would not prejudice the delivery of, An Clochán Liath Town Centre Regeneration Strategy & Action Plan ACL-UCR-P-3 Direct and encourage prospective investors and developers to consider locating in the urban core area in the first instance. ACL-UCR-P-4 Seek and secure the use of traditional shop front designs in the urban core for future developments in the town that are of high quality in terms of design, colour and materials, and that respect the individual architectural characteristics of An Clochán Liath. ACL-UCR-P-5 Encourage and facilitate the reuse of vacant sites and the redevelopment of brownfield sites within the urban core of the town. ACL-UCR-P-6 Proposals for signage on shop fronts, public buildings and commercial enterprises shall be Irish Language only.

3. Page 523

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 521 Chapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán LiathChapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán Liath 21.6 Housing 21.6.1 Background An Clochán Liath has a number of distinct primarily residential areas, located to the east, south and north of the town, although the approaches to the town from the east also contain a number of community uses (e.g. schools, sports facility). The area of lands zoned for residential development in this Town Area Plan take account of Core Strategy growth predictions, allow for a degree of the demand to be met through infill opportunities, extant planning permissions for residential development, potential yield from reuse and/or refurbishment of vacant or derelict structures, and thereafter provide for new residential development in the most suitable locations that are in close proximity to the urban core. The Core Strategy of the CDP provides for a 151 Unit Housing Allocation until 2030, with a stated demand for 54 social dwellings over the same period. Figure 21.4 Layout Plan for new Social Housing Development at Church Street, An Clochán Liath 21.6.2 Identification of Housing Lands Chapter 3 of this Development Plan sets out the broader planning policy context in relation to housing land supply for An Clochán Liath, as contained in the Core Strategy of the CDP. This identifies a need for 6.65 Hectares of greenfield residential land in An gClochán Liath, equating to a requirement for approximately 133 residential units. This need is calculated by discounting the overall requirement (151 dwellings) by the number of dwellings with the benefit of extant planning permissions, the number of dwellings likely to be delivered through refurbishment of derelict or vacant properties, and the number of houses that are capable of being delivered on residual lands zoned as “Established Development” and/or within the designated Urban Core of the town (estimated at 18 units). The remaining housing target (133 units) that needs lands zoned for “New Residential; Phase 1” has been calculated at 20 dwellings per hectare and a 50% surplus of land has then been added to allow for some lands not coming on stream over the lifetime of this development plan in accordance with Section of 4.4.3 of the Development Plan Guidelines (DoHLGH 2022) as revised by the Revised NPF Implementation Housing Growth Requirements Targets, 2025.

4. Page 524

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 522 Chapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán LiathChapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán Liath In order to identify the required area of residential land, the Planning Authority analysed available lands within the urban area. The criteria used in the analysis included ‘inter alia’ – proximity to the town core and essential services, availability of drinking water supply mains and foul sewerage services, compatibility with surrounding land uses within the urban settlement area and complexity of land ownership. The assessment also included an examination of potential flooding issues. The sites selected during the process are identified as 'Residential Phase 1' on the Area Plan Land Use Zoning Map (Map 21.1 refers). In addition to the identification of lands that are suitable for residential ‘first phase’ development, the assessment also led to the identification of two sites that could be suitable for housing development in the long term. These lands are zoned ‘Residential Phase 2’ on the Land Use Zoning Map. Table 21.2 Details of Selected Sites designated as 'Residential Phase 1' & “Residential Phase 2” on the Area Plan Land Use Zoning Map (Map 21.1 refers) An Clochán Liath Area Plan Residential Zoning Site Area (Hectares NR1.1 PHASE 1 1.284 NR1.2 PHASE 1 1.296 NR1.3 PHASE 1 1.780 NR1.4 PHASE 1 1.228 NR1.5 PHASE 1 1.7* NR1.6 PHASE 1 1.051 NR1.7 PHASE 1 1.83 NR1.8 PHASE 1 2.25 NR1.9 PHASE 1 1.37 NR2.1 PHASE 2 1.715 NR 2.2 PHASE 2 0.412 TOTAL AREA 15.92 TOTAL AREA PHASE 1 PHASE 1 13.789 HA TOTAL AREA PHASE 2 PHASE 2 2.1316 HA *(Overall area reduced to exclude new social housing under construction at time of Variation No.1) Please note that the total area of residential phase 1 zoned lands meets and is in excess of the Revised NPF Implementation Housing Growth Requirements Targets, 2025 (including the Additional Provision of up to 50% set out in Policy and Objective 2 of same). Objectives ACL-H-O-1 Identify at least 9.972 ha of appropriate greenfield lands to meet future housing need in An Clochán Liath over the lifetime of this Town Area Plan. Policies ACL-H-P-1 It is the policy of the Council to ensure that any proposals for development of lands zoned for residential development under NR1.7, in addition to normal design requirements, shall address the need for providing a permeable landscaped strip of ground between the riverwalk and any proposed residential development.

5. Page 525

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 523 Chapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán LiathChapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán Liath Chapter 17 of this County Development Plan sets out the general policies in relation to New Residential development in An Clochán Liath and these should be read in conjunction with the zoning matrix set out under Section 21.4 21.7 Transport and Sustainable Mobility Effecting an increase in Sustainable Mobility (e.g. walking/cycling/public transport) is a Strategic Objective of the National Planning Framework and a National Transport Priority. This is motivated by a desire to reduce carbon emissions to mitigate against climate change, to reduce vehicular congestion in the town centre, and in the interests of the many health benefits that arise from being physically active. Accordingly, this Area Plan will assist with bringing into effect a significant shift in modes of transport used by the public away from cars and towards walking and cycling. Traditionally transport in An Clochán Liath has been heavily dependent on vehicular transportation. This is evidenced by Census 2016 which indicates that 73% of An Clochán Liath’s residents travel to work or school via car or van whilst 18% travelled via foot, only 1% cycled, and only 5% travelled via bus (see below). Vehicular transport will continue to play a key role in meeting An Clochán Liath’s transport needs. Figure 21.5 Mode of Transport Share in An Clochán Liath (Source: Census 2016 Place of Work, School or College - Census of Anonymised Records (POWSCAR)) Given that 63% of commutes into Dungloe are for less than 15 minutes travel, the current journey patterns are conducive to a potentially substantial shift toward active travel or public transport being affected over the coming ten years. The National Transport Authority has contracted Planning Consultants to prepare a Local Transport Plan (LTP) for An Clochán Liath. Key Actions of that LTP to help optimise this shift toward increased use of more sustainable transport choices over the lifetime of this Town Area Plan include the following: • Improvement of the footpaths and pedestrian infrastructure within the urban core, particularly along routes to schools in the form of additional pedestrian crossings at critical locations,

6. Page 526

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 524 Chapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán LiathChapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán Liath • Connecting the schools to the town centre via traffic free routes and provide school zones on Chapel Road in line with Safe Routes to Schools guidance, • Connecting the Dungloe River Walk and the Shore Walk and extending the Shore Walk towards the Pond on Quay Road (see Fig.21.6 below), • The provision of new bus stops at the periphery of the town and the Údaras na Gaeltachta Business Park in addition to the Shorefront bus stop to facilitate increased use of public transport into the centre of the town and to places of concentrated employment along the routes of the buses serving An Clochán Liath. Figure 21.6 Indicative sites for new bus set-down and pick-up bays at An Clochán Liath (with inset showing the five bus routes into and out of An Clochán Liath) In addition to the above, a greenway has recently been completed between the town of Glenties and An Clochán Liath. Furthermore, Donegal County Council, with the support of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, is developing proposals for the Burtonport to Letterkenny Greenway project which is planned to extend to Dungloe. The latter project is currently at Phase 2 Emerging Preferred Route Corridor. While these greenways are mainly to be used for recreational purposes by pedestrians, cyclists and people with impaired mobility, they also will make a contribution toward an increase in active travel choices being made by persons living within a short commute of An Clochán Liath. The LTP makes a proposal for an Active Travel Network (see Fig.21.7 below) with its primary focus on the urban core and it shall be an objective of this Town Area Plan to prioritise delivery of facets of that network within the town over the lifetime of this Town Area Plan.

7. Page 527

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 525 Chapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán LiathChapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán Liath Figure 21.7 Active Travel Network proposed in the Local Transport Plan for Dungloe Objectives ACL-TSM-O-1 Support the progress and implementation of the ‘An Clochán Liath Town Centre Regeneration Strategy & Action Plan ‘ as regards provision of linkages and civic space and to support any future subsequent phases of the project as funded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund or similar town and village renewal funding schemes. ACL-TSM-O-2 Deliver and facilitate significantly enhanced public transport services infrastructure and facilities for An Clochán Liath broadly in line with the provisions of Fig.21.6 and subject to all necessary technical assessments. ACL-TSM-O-3 Support and facilitate the delivery of the active travel, public transport, and vehicular network actions detailed in the Local Transport Plan (and in the associated maps above) and the active travel linkages otherwise detailed in the Land Use Zoning map subject to any required technical assessments and studies.

8. Page 528

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 526 Chapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán LiathChapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán Liath Policies ACL-TSM-P-1 a) Not permit development that would prejudice the implementation of any active travel scheme as set out on Fig 21.7 ‘’Active Travel Network proposed in the Local Transport Plan for Dungloe”. b) Utilize existing footpaths and roads, and off-line routes identified on the Land Use Zoning Map and as opportunities arise, for the purpose of the development of ‘Local Scale’ and ‘Interconnecting Arterial’ walking and cycling routes. ACL-TSM-P-2 Require that all new proposed development(s) where appropriate, shall include active travel connectivity using permeability desire lines including filtered pedestrian permeability link(s) to adjoining land uses where such links would serve a meaningful purpose in terms of promoting active travel and/or connecting to a wider walking and cycle network. Detailed design of such links shall be agreed at pre-planning design stage, thereafter incorporated into finalized schemes, and delivered by the developer. This policy shall be applied to secure the delivery of those Schemes set out on Fig 21.7 ‘’Active Travel Network proposed in the Local Transport Plan for Dungloe” and other opportunities that may present; ACL-TSM-P-3 Support the development of the Letterkenny to Burtonport Strategic Greenway route as it affects any lands within the An Clochán Liath Town Area Plan boundary and to ensure that it integrates effectively with active travel initiatives within the town. ACL-TSM-P-4 Facilitate provision of bus services that will connect origins and destinations throughout the town including residential, education, healthcare facilities, and employment centres broadly in line with Fig.21.6, “Indicative sites for new bus set-down and pick-up bays at An Clochán Liath”. 21.8 Water Supply & Wastewater Infrastructure An Clochán Liath is currently supplied with water by both the Crolly Water Treatment Works (WTW) and the Lettermacaward WTW, both of which come under the Rosses Water Resource Zone. It should be noted that different areas are supplied by each WTW. Uisce Éireann’s Capacity Register indicates there is potential spare capacity available to cater for CDP population projections. The 2024 Uisce Éireann Drinking Water Capacity Register published in August 2025 states that from 2020 to 2034 there was potentially, subject to level of service improvements, capacity to cater for an additional 539 (five hundred and thirty nine) people within the town. Uisce Éireann has advised that An Clochán Liath effluent treatment infrastructure has more than adequate capacity to deal with the additional loading that would be generated as a result of the development envisaged in this Town Area Plan. While Uisce Éireann confirmed no known major network constraints, it also asserts that localised upgrades and/or extensions may be required to facilitate development. The 2024 Uisce Éireann Wastewater Treatment Capacity Register published in August 2025 states that there is estimated spare capacity to cater for the wastewater from an additional 664 (six hundred and forty four) people within the town. UÉ assessments regarding connections will occur on a case-by-case basis.

9. Page 529

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   County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 527 Chapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán LiathChapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán Liath 21.9 Roads and Footpaths Traffic congestion in and around the town centre, and particularly heavy traffic movements, is an area of concern for the town. An Clochán Liath requires an integrated approach to land use and transportation which provides for a safe road and pedestrian network that caters for all needs. This Town Area Plan identifies the following traffic measures as part of this approach. The pedestrian and cycling elements of this integrated approach are addressed in Section 21.7 “Transport and Sustainable Mobility”. 1.a) Identification of a preferred ‘Industrial/H.G.V’ route around the north of the town to direct heavy commercial/industrial traffic between the N56 and the Randox industrial area (and on to the Burtonport Road) to alleviate traffic congestion to and from the town centre. This will be achieved by means of directional signage. b) Identification of a southern traffic management route to direct traffic from the N56 (to the east of the town) to Main Street along Chapel Road to avoid the junction of Main Street and Carnmore Road. This will be achieved by means of directional signage. 2. Improvements to the Main Street-Carnmore Road Junction to complement both the measures identified at Points 1 and 2 above and also the town centre improvement measures identified at Section 21.5 “The Urban Core and Regeneration” above. Opportunity exists to reverse the current requirement for school students to move between the school campus and the services on Main St. via the public roads. The solution lies almost entirely within the schools' grounds except for the Cope car-park where a pedestrian-crossing facility is already in place. This plan also seeks to address the following: 1. Missing short section of foot path at west end of Chapel Road on northern side close to Main Street, 2. Extend footpath running south from Main Street to Primarily Residential Site 4, 3. Provision of pedestrian link on the north side of the Carnmore Road adjacent to the GAA pitch connecting the River-walk and school with the town centre. 4. A pedestrian/zebra crossing adjacent to the GAA pitch on the Carnmore Road. Objectives ACL-IS-O-1 Improve traffic, pedestrian and cycling accessibility and movement throughout An Clochan Liath to relieve congestion in and around the Main Street and to improve the environment and quality of life for residents of, and visitors to, the town. ACL-IS-O-2 Seek to resolve traffic access issues in the area of Crucknageragh Road/Quay Road and the Carnmore Road Main Street junction. Policies ACL-IS-P-1 Identify and to pursue a traffic management system comprising of the following and as identified on the Land Use Zoning Map (Map 21.1 refers): a) An ‘Industrial/H.G.V’ traffic route around the north of the town;

10. Page 530

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    County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 528 Chapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán LiathChapter 21 Pleain Áitiúl An Clochán Liath b) A Southern Traffic Management Route to serve the south of the town. Development proposals that would compromise this objective shall not be considered. ACL-IS-P-2 Provide for improvements to the Main Street Carnmore Road junction and that part of Carnmore Road located immediately to the east of the said junction. Development proposals that would compromise this objective shall not be considered. ACL-IS-P-3 Seek the provision of suitably-designed active travel and recreational linkages at the locations identified on the land use zoning map for An Clochán Liath (Map 21.1) NB – the routes identified are indicative only and minor variations to these routes may be agreed with the Planning Authority as appropriate. Any future proposals for pedestrian walkways and cycleways shall demonstrate compliance with the Habitats Directive, environmental considerations and all other relevant objectives and policies of this CDP. 21.10 Flooding Parameters relating to flooding are primarily dealt with under Chapter 8 of the County Development Plan. The flood extents mapping for An Clochán Liath is re-produced below for ease of reference. The SFRA for the County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 identified that certain areas around An Clochán Liath are at risk from flooding. In particular, the predicted flood extents encompass large sections of the River Walk. Also, there is potential for flooding downstream of the N56, both above and below the bridge under Main Street. Fig 21.9 below illustrates the predicted flood extents in the ‘High End Future Scenario’, which takes into account the potential impacts of climate change. This Area Plan has been prepared based on the precautionary principle and the sequential approach of Avoid, Substitute, Mitigate, Justify & Proceed, as set out in the Flood Risk Management Guidelines for Planning Authorities. New developments will be required to ensure that surface water management issues can be successfully addressed, they do not exacerbate flood risk elsewhere and utilise Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems in accordance with the Flood Risk management policies of the County Development Plan.

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.