Donegal County Council grants permission for Pettigo Corn Mill regeneration plans

Ambitious plans for the redevelopment of a historic cottage and sawmill complex in Pettigo, into a heritage tourist attraction, have been granted planning permission by Donegal County Council. 

The applicant, Michael Beare, aims to deliver commercial and leisure facilities at the South Donegal site, as well as to develop the site's car parking. 

In a lengthy access and heritage statement, the developers said that the proposal “aims to provide a much-needed amenity for the town of Pettigo” and respects “the heritage of the existing buildings but provides playful contemporary interjections that work with and enhance the existing landscape.”

Landowners, Mr Beare, and Gary Dunlop, said they were “looking to create a community hub” with “the initial influx being created by the provision of a bakery with deli counter, bar serving snacks, and an element of co-working space.”

A wine bar and ‘pizza bistro’ is also intended to be utilised on the upper floor of the saw mill to “give the site a round-the-clock appeal.”

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The complex owners now say that this is “ideal timing for the creation of a cross-border facility that serves the community.”

Plans for Pettigo Mill’s redevelopment are split into three phases, with phase one looking at the preservation and repurposing of the former saw mill, flax mill, and the former mill keeper’s cottage with a forge, to deliver administration and reception facilities for the site as well as a southern base for Finn Lough, a family-run retreat; baking facilities for artisan breads and pastries; evening wine bar and bistro; an introduction of the hydro electric pump to deliver electricity for future pases; a riverside walk; and infrastructure to allow access for tourist coaches.

Pettigo Corn and Saw Mill is one of nearly 500 protected structure entries in the County Donegal Record of Protected Structures, which ensures the protection of structures of architectural heritage value. 

Constructed in 1820 and extended in 1851, the building of Pettigo Corn and Saw Mill correlated with the growth of Pettigo, with the mill being a catalyst for trade and employment. The site was then used for power generation between 1930 and 1962. 

The developers commented that “the listing of the buildings seeks to preserve the heritage of the mill for future generations to be able to understand the ‘story’ of the site” and their application aimed to “take a rounded view of what the mills have meant to the town of Pettigo and community and harness this in a way to ensure a holistically sustainable future for the buildings.”

Examples of restored mills, both in Donegal and Northern Ireland, were provided as evidence of Pettigo’s appeal to tourists, including Newmills Corn and Flax Mill in Letterkenny. 

Planning permission was granted for the proposal by Donegal County Council with 15 conditions, which were given for various reasons, including to preserve the amenities of the area, traffic safety, and to cater for the orderly development of the area.