Plans submitted for new CVR test centre in Newtowncunningham
There is currently no CVR test centre in Inishowen, with the closest centre being located in Letterkenny
Planning retention is being sought for a proposed Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness (CVR) test centre.
The new test centre will be in Newtowncunningham. There is currently no test centre on the peninsula, with the closest centre being located in Letterkenny. Other centres in the county are located in Donegal Town and Ballyshannon.
The applicant, David McDermott, is seeking a change of use and part retention and completion of existing commercial unit to facilitate a commercial roadworthiness test centre on the main Letterkenny to Derry road in the townland of Tonyhabboc.
Mr McDermott was granted planning permission in the summer of 2023 for the construction of a commercial unit for the repair of commercial vehicles. He was granted permission for a small extension to the building in November later in the same year.
In a cover letter submitted by McDermott's architect, Patrick Canning, it was outlined how during the development of the building, which is not yet completed, the applicant was approached by the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test Centre outfit seeking to see if he would be interested in adding a test centre to his existing development "given that the former commercial test centre in Inishowen had closed with no plans to reopen."
In the cover letter it is stated that Mr McDermott was given an ultimatum and a timeframe to have the businesses open if he wanted to secure the long-term contract.
Subsequently, David McDermott concentrated on getting the contract and "was always of the opinion that the Council would look favourably on a future planning application if he complied with all of the policies of the Development Plan, The TII regulations and the Building control regulations."
Submissions can be made on the application until June 4. A decision by the planning authority is expected near the end of June.