Future of Clonmany’s Curate’s House project in doubt after planning appeal

A decision to grant planning permission for the change of use of the Curate’s House in Clonmany into a community hub is set to face further scrutiny, following an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

In recent weeks, Donegal County Council approved plans by Clonmany Enterprise Development Limited for a change of use of the building, known locally as the Curate’s House, in the heart of Clonmany village.

The building, which previously served as a parish office, has been vacant for several years after sustaining flood damage caused by a burst pipe. Parish services were subsequently moved to St Mary’s Hall.

The Curate’s House and the adjoining field were purchased in recent years by Clonmany Enterprise Development CLG, the organisers of the annual Clonmany Festival, from the parish.

The field is regularly used for festival activities, including the funfair, and has already secured planning permission for a new toilet block and play park.

Under the approved plans, the new hub will include four retail units and a staff canteen on the ground floor. The first floor will contain a committee boardroom, two community hot-desk workspaces, and a manager’s office.

However, the development now faces an appeal from Pat McGonigle, who has challenged both the authority of the applicant and the level of detail provided in the proposal.

In his submission, Mr. McGonigle pointed to the previous application for the property that was rejected by An Coimisiún Pleanála on the grounds of insufficient legal interest, suggesting the current proposal is fundamentally unchanged aside from the applicant’s name.

Additionally, he raised concerns about the lack of clarity around the proposed “community shops” included in the plans. He argued that the application does not adequately specify the type of goods or services to be provided, making it difficult for both the public and planning authorities to properly assess the impact of the development. 

Community shops are a “vague term and gives no indication as to what type of goods or services will be for sale in these 'shops'.” 

“Most shops serving a small village and surrounding area could reasonably be deemed community shops,” Mr McGonigle added. 

“I believe it is a reasonable expectation that the planning application for these four proposed 'shops' would clearly indicate what, exactly, are the goods/services that they will be purveying.”

The Curate’s House is currently leased to Clonmany Youth and Community Resource Centre from the Clonmany Enterprise Development Limited. 

An application to convert the former parish office into a Community Hub for a local youth club was submitted by Clonmany Community Centre last year, but was ultimately refused after An Coimisiún Pleanála overturned a decision by Donegal County Council to grant permission. In its refusal, the Board outlined that the applicant had not demonstrated sufficient legal interest in the property.

Objections were also raised during the current application process to the planning authority by John Bradley, who argued that the development would represent an over-intensification of activity in a quiet residential area. He also raised concerns about the absence of an Operational Management Plan detailing opening hours, footfall, and noise mitigation.

Mr Bradley further highlighted that the development could be a potential “safety hazard” for vulnerable residents, citing concerns about increased traffic and the lack of an accessibility or disability strategy within the application.

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Despite these concerns, the council granted permission subject to nine conditions.

A decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála, which will determine whether the project can proceed, is due to be made by the end of June.