Planning permission granted for new Buncrana development

placeholder image — The current buildings on Ferris Lane

Three retail units and two apartments set for Ferris Lane site destroyed by fire almost four years ago

Planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of a site in Buncrana that was destroyed in a fire almost four years ago.

Donegal County Council planners have given the green light for the demolition of three buildings and the erection of three new buildings along Ferris Lane.

The buildings were devastated in February 2019 when a blaze swept through the buildings. The fire also destroyed The Plaza Ballroom and John Barr's retail shop. Ferris Lane only reopened to traffic in September after being closed for over three years.

The new buildings will consist of three retails units on the ground floor and two apartments on each of the first and second floors.

Planners have granted John Barr permission subject to 13 conditions being met.

One of the conditions includes that the apartments must be used and/or let as permanent homes only and shall not be used for the purposes of a holiday homes or for short term letting purposes. A separate planning application must be granted to allow for holiday home usage.

Holiday home for the purpose of this condition means a secondary place of residence that does not form a principal and main residence, but excludes second homes occupied on an intermittent basis by persons who are returning emigrants. Permanent house for the purpose of this condition means the principal and main residence.

The reason given by planners is to comply with the Housing Policy of the County Donegal Development Plan 2018-2024.