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) 609 Chapter 24 Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Area Plan Table 24.1 Residential Zonings, Associated Site Area and Potential Housing Yield Site Ref: Zoning Ref: Site Zoning Type Weighted Site Area (ha) Site Area Weighting Potential Housing Yield Phase 1 Residential Zonings New Residential Phase 1 Sites 41 NR 1.1 New Residential Phase 1 0.35 1 9 1 NR 1.2 New Residential Phase 1 1.68 1 42 7 NR 1.3 New Residential Phase 1 2.97 1 74 NR 1.4 New Residential Phase 1 0.49 1 12 NR 1.5 New Residential Phase 1 1.46 1 37 NR 1.6 New Residential Phase 1 2.26 1 57 Subtotal 9.21 230 Opportunity Sites Facilitating Residential Development 43 Opp site 7 Opportunity Site 0.31 0.5 8 4 Opp site 3 Opportunity Site 2.28 0.5 57 3 Opp Site 2 Opportunity site 1.16 0.5 29 Opp Site 4 Opportunity Site 1.03 0.5 13 Subtotal 4.78 107 Total Residential Phase 1 (Excluding Barrack Hill) 13.99 337 Barrack Hill Masterplan Area 29 Barrack Hill Masterplan area 2.60 1 65 Total Residential Phase 1 (Including Barrack Hill) 16.59 402 Note: 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). In addition to the identification of housing lands as outlined above, the wider Development Plan outlines a range of policies to achieve high quality, inclusive, mixed, and permeable residential developments in terms of layout and design. The necessity of providing specialist housing for Older Persons was highlighted as a key housing need for Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh during public consultation. Said housing need is facilitated by the residential related zonings within the plan and is further supported through Policy CN-CRH-P-3. This Area Plan also sets out a range of site-specific policies for new residential developments to, inter alia, protect local environmental amenities and ensure high levels of permeability and connectivity to adjoining lands and local services (see below). Finally, Policy GEN-H-2 of this Development Plan facilitates single dwellings on family lands within areas zoned Local Environment 1 in this Area Plan. Objective CN-H-O-1 Provide an adequate supply and mix of quality housing units at serviced and accessible locations to meet a range of housing needs
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 610 Chapter 24 Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Area Plan Policies 24.6 Town Centre and Regeneration The central Diamond area and adjoining Main Street, Pound Street, Bridge Street and Chapel Street continues to represent Carndonagh’s commercial and urban core. This area’s strong vernacular and attractive streetscape, traditional shopfronts, fine grain of development, compact form, and quality public realm creates a sense of character and place, aids vitality and offers significant tourism appeal. The town centre continues to offer a diverse retail and service offering including pubs, café, restaurants, clothing shops, banks, hardware, property and financial services etc, and contains a significant number of residential properties. This highlights the need to safeguard this essential character, sustain a diversity of town centre uses, and provide new and enhanced urban living opportunities, within a compact urban core. The Diamond and adjoining streets have a significant number of on street parking spaces and this is complemented by the town’s public car park which enjoys a direct pedestrian linkage to the Diamond. Car parking is also available at the adjacent public service centre and the Supervalu Retail Car Parks. The innovative Tús Nua Regeneration Project being carried out by the Council’s Regeneration and Development Team and Spraoi agus Spoirt aims to achieve both physical and social regeneration by addressing vacancy and dereliction, improving pedestrian linkages, and providing additional public amenities. The multifaceted project aims to make Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh a more attractive place to live, work and visit and consists of: • Redevelopment of the McDonough & Co Ltd site (Mary Reids) to provide a new Co-working space including a digital hub, a Fablab, Offices, Youth Space, Community Kitchen, public realm, and storage. • Associated re-development of the adjoining former Leprechaun Bar to provide public amenities, changing places facility and through access. CN-H-P-1 Ensure that development proposals on site NR 1.3 (South of Pound Street) shall: • Provide vehicular and a safe, coherent, direct, attractive, and comfortable active travel linkage to site NR 2.1 to the south. • Facilitate the delivery of the active travel/recreational linkages detailed in the land use zoning map. • Retain and integrate any existing mature trees/field boundaries within the development layout in so far as possible. CN-H-P-2 Ensure that development proposals on site NR 1.2 (Off the Malin Road): • Provide vehicular, and safe, coherent, direct, attractive, and comfortable active travel linkages, to Opp Sites 1 and 2. • Facilitate the delivery of the active travel/recreational linkages detailed in the land use zoning map, subject to the requirements of the Habitats Directive. • Retain and integrate any field boundaries within the development layout in so far as possible.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 611 Chapter 24 Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Area Plan • Creation of a new pedestrian link and urban park between Pound Street and the Supervalu Retail Complex and redevelopment of an existing stone barn to a Creative Makers Hub with communal retail and workspace. • New demountable canopy features in the Diamond area civic space. • Public realm improvements to Back Lane including surface materials, lighting and public art and a boundary wall to the town carpark. The delivery of the project is therefore a key objective of the plan (CN-TC-O-2 refers). However, Geodirectory data61 indicates that that there a very high level of vacant (61) and derelict (8) properties in Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh. In particular there are a significant number of vacant and derelict properties within the Town Centre, clustered around Pound Street and upper Bridge Street which threaten its overall vibrancy, physical appearance, and tourism appeal. This highlights the need for the Council to continue to work with property owners to reuse/refurbish/redevelop these properties including by encouraging the uptake of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, the Repair and Lease Scheme, and the Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses and to positively facilitate appropriate development proposals for same. There is also a need to sustain and grow the town centre’s residential population through the sensitive refurbishment of vacant properties and the provision of appropriate infill residential development proposals to sustain and enhance the overall vibrancy of the town centre, encourage sustainable mobility and reduce transport related greenhouse gas emissions as facilitated by Policy CN-TC-P-2 below. Figure 24.1 Map of Vacant/Derelict Properties in Carndonagh Town Centre (Source: Geodirectory). 61 Source: Geodirectory July 2023
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 612 Chapter 24 Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Area Plan In considering new town centre development proposals, the Council will promote the sustainable and sensitive reuse/refurbishment of existing building stock with architectural merit as a more sustainable alternative to demolition/replacement and otherwise ensure that new development provides for high architectural quality, creates strong streetscape, respects the character of the adjoining buildings/streetscape, and protects residential amenity, in accordance with the policies of this plan. The convergence of the road network on the town centre, the narrow nature of Malin Street, Chapel Street, and Bridge Steet, on street parking, narrow footpaths and limited/inadequate pedestrian crossing points, all contribute to traffic congestion and hinder pedestrian movement. Consequently, it considered appropriate to explore revised town centre traffic management arrangements to address these issues (See Section 24.7 Transport and Sustainable Mobility). The Inishowen Mart site occupies a prime site comprising over 0.7 hectares between Pound Street and dwellings on the R244/Gleneely Road and enjoys pedestrian access from Pound Street and vehicular access from the R244. It thus represents a significant urban redevelopment opportunity to provide a mixture of residential units, small-scale retail, services, tourism, or cultural developments (e.g. small shops, offices, hostel/guesthouse, etc), or community uses in a highly accessible location close to local amenities subject to an alternative site being developed for the Mart itself and this opportunity is facilitated by Policy CN-TC-P-6 below. Given the context and opportunities of the site it is important that any development proposals provide for a high-quality urban design which respects the scale and character of the adjoining town centre buildings, enables north-south pedestrian permeability, whilst also providing adequate vehicular access arrangements off the R244/Gleneely Road. Having regard to the above context, the following planning town centre/urban regeneration priorities and opportunities can be identified. • Sustaining and enhancing the role of the town centre as Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh’s social, economic, and tourism hub including improving the public realm, providing new amenities, improving the pedestrian environment, and improving traffic flow. • Implementing the Tús Nua project as a primary means of providing for the social and physical regeneration of Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Town centre. • Tackling vacancy and dereliction throughout the town centre, through both targeted financial supports and facilitating the sensitive reuse/redevelopment of existing buildings. • The redevelopment of the Inishowen Livestock Mart for a mixture of urban living units, or smallscale retail, tourism, cultural or community uses. • Protecting/enhancing the vernacular character and strong streetscape of the town centre in any new development proposals including preserving traditional shopfronts/facades. • Protecting existing residential amenities and providing new town centre living opportunities. Objectives CN-TC-O-1 Sustain and enhance the role of the town centre as Carn Domhnach/ Carndonagh’s social, economic, and tourism hub. CN-TC-O-2 Fully implement all aspects of the Tús Nua Project as a primary means of providing for the social and physical regeneration of Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh town centre. CN-TC-O-3 Reduce vacancy and dereliction within Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Town Centre. CN-TC-O-4 Sustain and grow the existing residential population within the town centre.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 613 Chapter 24 Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Area Plan CN-TC-O-5 Improve the public realm within the town centre including through the reduction in the dominance of motorised traffic on the streetscape. CN-TC-O-6 Enhance the pedestrian and cycling environment, provide enhanced public transport infrastructure and ease traffic congestion. CN-TC-O-7 Protect/enhance the vernacular character and strong streetscape of the town centre in any new development proposals including preserving traditional shopfronts/facades where appropriate. Policies CN-TC-P-1 Consider proposals for retail, commercial, and residential proposals in the town centre subject to compliance with all other policy provisions of the plan. CN-TC-P-2 Positively consider proposals for the sustainable and sensitive reuse/refurbishment/redevelopment of vacant and derelict properties and infill development within the town centre which: • Provides for a high architectural quality. • Create strong streetscape and sensitively integrates with the existing buildings and streetscape in terms of design, character, scale and height. • Provides for a high level of, and protects adjoining, residential amenities. • Otherwise complies with the relevant policies of this plan. CN-TC-P-3 Promote the uptake of financial supports and where appropriate utilise regulatory measures to tackle vacancy and dereliction. CN-TC-P-4 Facilitate revised town centre traffic management solutions which reduce conflict between transport modes, revise parking, enhance sustainable mobility and facilitate the creation of an improved public realm. CN-TC-P-5 Ensure that new development proposals protect and/or enhance the town centre’s vernacular character and strong streetscape including preserving traditional shopfronts/facades where appropriate. CN-TC-P-6 Consider development proposals for a mixture of residential, small-scale retail, services, tourism, or cultural developments (e.g. small shops, offices, hostel/guesthouse, etc.), or community uses on the Inishowen Mart Site subject to the following requirements. • High quality urban design which respects the scale, character and density of the adjoining town centre environment. • Provides for a safe, coherent, direct, attractive, and comfortable pedestrian access from the R244 to Pound Street as an integral part of any development. • Provides detailed proposals for vehicular access from the R244 and appropriate parking proposals appropriate to a town centre environment.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 614 Chapter 24 Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Area Plan 24.7 Transport and Sustainable Mobility/Sustainable Mobility The creation of functional, safe, and sustainable transport network for Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh is essential for prosperity, sustainability and the health, wellbeing and quality of life of its residents. For many decades transport in Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh’s has been heavily dependent on vehicular transportation. This is evidenced by Census 2022 which indicates that 70% of Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh’s residents travel to work or school via Car or Van whilst only 12% travelled via foot and 8% travelled via bus (See below). Vehicular transport will continue to play a key role in meeting Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh’s transport needs. However, Sustainable Mobility (e.g. walking/cycling/public transport) is a Strategic Objective of the National Planning Framework, a National Transport Priority and provides significant benefits in terms of transport efficiency, reduced congestion, improved health, climate change mitigation and reduced air pollution. Accordingly, this plan focuses significantly on interventions which promote a modal shift to/increased rates of walking and cycling as a core part of Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh’s future transport solution. Figure 24.3 Means of Travel to Work, School, Collage or Childcare for Carndonagh Residents Census 2022 In terms of Active Travel (i.e. Walking and Cycling) Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh benefits from a generally good footpath network (with 2m wide footpaths on most approach roads), pedestrian crossings on the R238/Church Street, the R240/convent Road, and in the town Centre. There is also cycle parking at the public service centre and a new active travel link to the GAA Club. The town’s relatively flat terrain, the location or key commuting destinations (e.g. local schools, retail and employment centres) within walking/cycling distance of residential areas, the fact that 64% of commutes in Carndonagh are less than 15mins, also facilitate active travel. In addition, the Council is currently completing an Active Travel Project to provide pedestrian crossings on each arm of the R238/R271 Malin Road roundabout and progressing the Inishowen Greenway project. Nevertheless, a number of active travel challenges are apparent. Significant gaps in the footpath network are evident at specific locations (e.g. along the R244/Buncrana Road, on the Moss Road, on the L-1271/Pound Street, and adjacent to Simpsons Shop). The pedestrian crossings in the Diamond have poor visibility and there is absence of crossings on Malin Street, Bridge Street and Pound Street. Significantly there is also a lack of dedicated cycle lanes in Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh. Other active travel issues include; high traffic speeds on key approach roads, steps on Bridge Street,
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 615 Chapter 24 Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Area Plan footpath parking adjoining the Community School and in the town centre, wide junction radii at certain junctions (e.g. Chapel Street/New Road and the R244/R238) and multiple entrances into the Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Shopping Centre. However, there is significant potential to make Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh more pedestrian and cycling friendly and promote active travel, including: • Delivering a new/upgraded Riverside walkway/cycleway along the Donagh River to link residential areas in the south of the town with schools/retail/community facilities in the west of the town. • Facilitating the provision of east to west active travel linkages between residential developments on the Carrowreagh Road and Barrack Hill Town Park, the town centre, and facilities on Chapel Road. • Providing new/improving existing sections of footpaths at specific locations to enhance pedestrian safety and better connect residential areas with key destinations. • Providing new/enhancing existing pedestrian crossings/traffic calming measures at various points around the town including in the town centre and on key approach roads. • Delivering new cycle infrastructure including new cycle lanes on key approach roads (where feasible) and cycle parking facilities. • Advancing the Safe Routes to Schools Project on Convent Road. • Delivering the Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh to Buncrana and the Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh to Three Trees Greenways which will aid active travel connectivity from Carndonagh rural hinterland. • Providing a new active travel connection between the Supervalu car park and the town centre as part of the Tús Nua Regeneration project. • Requiring new residential development to provide quality internal walking/cycling infrastructure and onward active travel connections to adjoining lands to aid future permeability. • Providing active travel infrastructure along the future developer led Inner Relief Road between Station Road and the Ballyliffen Road. Accordingly, the Local Transport Plan sets out a range of active travel solutions to tackle these issues and realise these Opportunities (see associated map below). Collectively the Development Plan and this Area Plan’s housing policies and the Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh land use zoning map also require new residential development to provide quality internal walking/cycling infrastructure and onward active travel connections to adjoining lands.
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 616 Chapter 24 Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Area Plan Figure 24.4 Active Travel Network Map In terms of public transport Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh currently has 4 bus services including to Malin Head (Route 954), Derry (Route 952), Buncrana/Letterkenny (Route 959), and Dublin (Route 933) and there is a southbound bus stop (with layby and bus shelter) in the Diamond. However, there is no northbound bus stop in the Diamond (save a bus cage marked on the road) and otherwise there are no other bus stops in Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh. Public transport infrastructure and usage could be enhanced by the provision of dedicated bus stops at Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 617 Chapter 24 Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Area Plan Community School, Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Community Hospital, the Supervalu Retail Complex and on the R238/Malin Road, the R244/Gleneely Road, the R238/Ballyliffin Road and the R240/Quigleys Point Road as set out in the Local Transport Plan public transport map below. Figure 24.5 Public Transport Interventions Map In terms of vehicular transport Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh is located at the focal point of North Inishowen’s road network with regional road links to Buncrana, Derry, Moville and Malin radiating out from the town. The station road provides a useful relief road around the northwestern side of the town, serves several commercial premises and enables east/west traffic to bypass the town centre. The town benefits from a public car park with direct access to the town centre and significant parking in both the SuperValu and Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Shopping Centre complexes. There are also EV charging stations in the town centre car park and in the Public Service Centre. However, several traffic related issues are also apparent. The focusing of traffic into the physically confined urban core, two-way traffic, and ad hoc/unrestricted parking often causes traffic congestion in the town centre. At peak times Traffic congestion is also apparent in the vicinity of schools, particularly on Church Road and at the Station Road/Bridge Street junction. Traffic speeds are also
- County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030 (As Varied) 618 Chapter 24 Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh Area Plan high along the long straight approach roads into Carn Domhnach/Carndonagh. Finally, there is an absence of dedicated loading bays in the town centre. Nevertheless, several opportunities have been identified to tackle these traffic related issues including, exploring revised traffic management and parking arrangements, and providing loading bays, in the town centre, making junction improvements at the Station Road/Bridge Street junction, and introducing traffic calming on key approach roads. There is also a strategic opportunity to provide a developer led inner relief road between the Station Road, Moss Road and Ballyliffen road which would significantly facilitate traffic flows around the town. Accordingly, the Local Transport Plan sets out a range of vehicular transport solutions to address these issues and opportunities (See associated Map Below). Figure 24.6 Vehicular Transport Interventions Map Objectives CN-TSM-O-1 Increase walking rates by the creation of a quality and safe walking environment with enhanced pedestrian infrastructure (e.g. new/enhanced footpaths, new active travel links, pedestrian crossings, traffic calming measures). CN-TSM-O-2 Increase cycling rates by the provision of an improved and safer cycling environment with new cycle infrastructure (e.g. cycle lanes (where feasible) along key approach roads, and bicycle parking within the town centre). CN-TSM-O-3 Improve transport infrastructure for children, disabled, and older persons including enhanced safety provision for children walking and cycling to schools. Traffic Management Strategy Traffic Management Area
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.