Theatre producer John Gore appeals over demolition of ‘historical cottage’

Award-winning Broadway theatre producer John Gore is appealing a decision by Donegal County Council to allow the demolition of a "traditionally relevant historical cottage" near Greencastle.

Mr Gore, who has donated millions to the UK’s Conservative Party and has a substantial property interest in the Moville area, has appealed to An Bord Pleanála over the council’s decision to grant planning permission a development near a property he owns.

Kieran and Eilis Cavanagh have been granted retention permission for site works including landfilling and planning permission for the construction of an extension, amendments to an existing dwelling and the demolition of an existing derelict building at Carrowhugh, Greencastle.

In his submission to Donegal County Council on the development, Mr Gore said the cottage exists on the 1897 ordnance survey map.

"It would have been nice to see a little more respect made to the historic dwelling rather than retaining the far more recent and less attractive bungalow, as proposed," he said.

In his objection, Mr Gore also raised concerns about the vision lines from an exit onto the road and the safety of pedestrians who walk to a nearby beach.

In response to the objection, the council said the derelict cottage is not on the Record of Protected Structures or the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage and "is considered to be in poor condition".

The council also said it was satisfied that the proposed vision lines "can be achieved".

Planners ruled the application is "in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area" and granted planning permission with eight conditions. A decision on the appeal is due in May.

Mr Gore has donated millions to the UK’s Conservative Party and has a substantial property interest in the Moville area.

Mr Gore bought the 19th-century Carnagarve House on the shores of Lough Foyle in 2018 and the Caiseal Mara Hotel in Moville in 2020 after an arson attack believed to be linked to plans to use it as a direct provision centre.

The Tony and Oliver award winner is also understood to be involved in the Halyon Club in Moville, which was previously known as The Town Clock.

He has also backed locals opposed to long-running plans to build a sewage treatment plant at Carnagarve.