Core Planning Reasoning
The development is recommended for grant as it is consistent with the 'economic development' zoning objective of the Donegal Local Area Plan and, given the existing light industrial character of the surrounding peri-urban area, the retention of the palisade fencing would not seriously injure the visual amenities of the locality.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The site is located within an established industrial and light industrial environment where palisade fencing is common, establishing a clear precedent for such development in the vicinity.
- The removal of conifer trees and the installation of the fence do not result in a material diminution of scenic amenity, as the fence is not visible from the interior of the nearby Donegal Craft Village tourist attraction.
- Visual impacts can be successfully mitigated through planning conditions requiring the planting of a continuous indigenous hedge along the inner perimeter of the fence to soften its appearance.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Donegal Local Area Plan - Economic Development Zoning ObjectiveSection 48 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Development Contribution Scheme)
Decision Document Summary
This report assesses a third-party appeal against Donegal County Council's decision to grant retention permission for a 2.4-meter high green palisade fence enclosing 0.536 hectares at the Abbott Ireland facility in Lurganboy. The appellant, representing the nearby Donegal Craft Village, argued that the fence creates a 'fortified industrial' aesthetic that harms local tourism and visual amenity. The Inspector noted that the site is specifically zoned for economic development and sits within a lan...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.