1 dwelling, DRUMLACKAGH, GLEN, CARRIGART LETTERKENNY PO - Planning Application 2650090

The council’s formal grounds for this decision. Planner assessment and later appeal outcomes are separate.

Source note: Open the official case file for 26/50090, then its documents and select “Notification of Decision” dated 6 August 2026. The quoted refusal grounds are on PDF page 2.

1. The development comprises of the retention of a mobile home as additional residential accommodation within the curtilage of an existing renovated cottage. The mobile home is not temporary accommodation associated with the construction of a permitted dwelling and has not been demonstrated to constitute ancillary accommodation for a dependent relative in accordance with Policy RH-P-8 of the County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (as varied). There is no policy provision within the Plan supporting the permanent or long-term retention of a mobile home as supplementary residential or holiday accommodation within the curtilage of an existing rural dwelling. Having regard to the temporary nature and standard of the structure, the development constitutes a substandard, haphazard and unsustainable form of residential accommodation and would establish an undesirable precedent for similar development. Accordingly, the development is contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

   Official case file · decision PDF page 2

2. The subject site is located within an area designated as Especially High Scenic Amenity under the County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (as varied). Policy L-P-1 seeks to protect such areas and provides that only developments of strategic importance, or developments provided for by another policy of the Plan, may be considered. Policy RH- P-9 also requires rural residential development to be sensitively designed and capable of effective assimilation into the receiving landscape. By reason of its temporary form, external appearance, proportions and absence of architectural quality or vernacular character, the mobile home fails to integrate with the restored traditional cottage or the character and amenity of the receiving landscape. Its retention would detract from the visual amenities and rural character of this sensitive area and would establish an undesirable precedent for similar substandard development. The proposal therefore contravenes Policies L-P-1 and RH-P-9 and is contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

   Official case file · decision PDF page 2

3. It is a policy of the Planning Authority under Policy RH-P-9(b)(iv) of the County Donegal Development Plan 2024–2030 (as varied) to require the safe and efficient disposal of effluent in a manner that does not pose a risk to public health and accords with the applicable Environmental Protection Agency Code of Practice. The proposed mobile home is to connect to the wastewater treatment system previously permitted to serve the renovated cottage under Plan Ref. 24/50156. In the absence of technical information demonstrating that the existing system has sufficient capacity to accommodate the additional hydraulic and organic loading arising from the mobile home, the Planning Authority is not satisfied that effluent can be safely and effectively treated and dispersed within the site. Accordingly, the development would be prejudicial to public health, would contravene Policy RH-P-9 and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

   Official case file · decision PDF page 2

PDF pages visually checked. Document SHA-256: fdd977e7d35ef3d54e84b908d26a368829369b430ad3b6fd0780b4a4ca10b4a9