Green light for major change of use at Scotsman’s Bar in Donegal Town

Plans for a major transformation of the Scotsman’s Bar in Donegal Town have been given the green light, subject to nine conditions.

Donegal County Council has granted the application made by Michael John Gavigan for the Bridge Street premises. The bar has been closed for some time, having briefly reopened in 2019. 

READ NEXT: Immense support for call to keep Education Centre in Donegal Town

Details of the development as outlined in the planning application are: “Change of use from licenced bar / lounge to retail shop and coffee shop at ground floor level and provision of skylights and roof lights at roof level and external terrace to the rear elevation. 

It also includes change of use of first and second floor living accommodation to two one-bedroom apartments, as well as the construction of a flat roof extension to the rear at first and second floor levels to provide a stairwell and balconies to the apartments.

Elevation changes and provision of a new shopfront and entrance and all associated site development works are also included.

Conditions

Among the conditions is that the apartments shall be used for permanent occupation or

long-term rental only and shall not be used for the purposes of a holiday home or as

short-term rental accommodation. 

In granting permission, Donegal County Council writes: “Such holiday home or short-term rental use to be commenced only if authorised by a separate grant of permission.”

Opening hours of the premises are to be confined to 8am to 8pm. 

Another key condition relates to the historic character of the building. 

As outlined in the notification of permission: “All works relating to the restoration of the painted shop front shall be completed to the satisfaction of the Conservation Officer.”

Signage is to be in the Irish Language, or if bilingual, then the Irish language shall be first and shall be of an area, size and prominence that is at least equal to or greater than the area, size and prominence of other languages.

Adequate provision must be made to facilitate access and use of the proposed development by disabled persons.

The applicant must pay a contribution of €4,322.04 in respect of public infrastructure and facilities.  

Further conditions relating to the construction phase include waste being disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner; no surface water from the site is to discharge to the public road, and no water from the public road is to discharge onto the site; construction works shall be between the hours of 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and from 8.30am to 3pm on Saturdays, with no construction works on Sundays and public holidays.

Licence

A court hearing regarding the transfer of licence had been adjourned while planning permission was being awaited. 

The application for the certificate of transfer of a seven-day ordinary licence attached to the Scotsman’s Bar to John Gavigan, Cathy Gavigan, Sian Gavigan, Eilish Gavigan of Calhame, Bruckless. 

The matter is due to be heard in Donegal District Court on March 24.

Follow Donegallive.ie for coverage of news, sports and events across Donegal