Planning obtained for office and residential space at Burtonport’s The Cope
Space for two-bed apartments and offices at former supermarket and Welcome Centre
Planning permission has been granted by Donegal Council for the conversion of the former Burtonport Welcome Centre, also known as The Cope, into office and residential space.
The applicants, Mr and Mrs Seamus Boyle of Arranmore Ferry Maintenance Ltd, have applied for the conversion of the building into office space, and part into a two-bedroom apartment, and maintaining all existing services with parking and all necessary site works.
Donegal County Council granted the application with planning permission, with nine conditions, including a condition that the applicant or beneficiary of the permission should contribute a payment of €122.50 in respect of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the Planning Authority that is already provided or is intended to be provided by the Authority.
The applicant was also warned that the decision of the Planning Authority to grant planning permission did not remove the obligation to comply with the Building Regulations and the Building Control Regulations.
In August 2025, the property was subject to a planning permission application to Donegal County Council, for a development that would have consisted of the conversion of the former commercial building into three domestic dwellings, along with associated site works, and connection to existing services, however, further information was requested of the application in October 2025, of which the applicant, PJ Boyle, had six months to fully comply with the request, otherwise the application will have been deemed to be withdrawn.
Originally opened in 1921 as a community business creating sustainable employment, the Burtonport branch of The Cope closed in 2006.
The Cope had been put up for sale in September 2025, and before then, in 2022.