2462059
DEVELOPMENT TO FACILITATE AND SUPPORT THE EXISTING AGRICULTURAL / HORTICULTURAL USE OF THE LANDS COMPRISING OF: (1) 9 NO. POLYTUNNELS (COMBINED FLOOR AREA OF 1,818 SQM), (2) 1 NO. RAINWATER STORAGE TANK (21 SQM), (3) 1 NO. PORTACABIN (26 SQM), (4) 2 NO. CONTAINERS (28 SQM), (5) BLOCKWORK WALL AND SEMI-ENCLOSED AREA (CA. 36 SQM) ADJACENT TO PACKING SHED AND (6) MINOR ELEVATIONAL CHANGES TO EXISTING OFFICE BUILDING COMPRISING 2 NO. ADDITIONAL WINDOWS TO SECOND STOREY
Core Planning Reasoning
The development is consistent with the County Donegal Development Plan 2024-2030, as it supports an established horticultural social enterprise within a Gaeltacht area, provides for appropriate rural economic development, and does not negatively impact the visual or residential amenities of the area or the integrity of nearby Natura 2000 sites.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development is acceptable in principle as it facilitates a long-standing agri-food social enterprise (Cill Ulta) that promotes agricultural heritage and the Irish language in a Gaeltacht area.
- Traffic and drainage concerns raised by the appellant were not substantiated; the development does not materially intensify road usage and the Inspector found the wastewater and surface water arrangements to be adequate for the scale of the retention sought.
- A Stage 1 Appropriate Assessment screening concluded that the works, including a water tank partially located within the Falcarragh to Meenlaragh SPA, did not result in significant adverse effects on the integrity of European sites due to their minor scale and the low intensity of the current site operations.