Downings Facility Centre for Water Sports Activities

NOTICE PURSUANT TO SECTION 177AE OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT, 2000, (AS AMENDED)

APPLICATION TO AN COIMISIÚN PLEANÁLA FOR APPROVAL

Downings Facility Centre for Water Sports Activities

Notice is hereby given by Donegal County Council (“the Council”) that

1. It intends to carry out the development detailed below (“the proposed development”)

2. The location of the proposed development is Crocknamurleog, Na Dúnaibh, County Donegal. The overall development site is shown edged red on drawing no. A.3.1.001.

3. The nature of the proposed development consists of the construction of a facility centre for water sports activities and associated works including safety improvement works to the access lane to Na Dúnaibh beach, wayfinding signage, site drainage, landscaping, carpark realignment, demolition of existing public toilets, connection to existing utilities, accommodation works and supporting ancillary works.

4. The Council proposes to seek the approval of An Coimisiún Pleanála for the proposed development.

5. A Natura Impact Statement has been prepared in respect of the proposed development.

6. An Coimisiún Pleanála may give approval to the application for development with or without conditions or may refuse the application for development.

7. A copy of the Natura Impact Statement and the plans and particulars of  the proposed development as contained in the documents listed in the Schedule below (“the Plans and Particulars”) will be available for inspection free of charge from Monday the 15^th of December 2025 to Wednesday 4^th of February 2026 (inclusive of both dates but excluding public holidays) during normal office hours, Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 12.30pm and 1.00pm to 4.30pm.  at the offices of Donegal County Council at:  

1. Donegal County Council Public Service Centre, Neil T. Blaney Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 TNY3.

2. Donegal County Council Office, County House, The Diamond, Lifford, Co. Donegal, F93 Y622.

3. Milford Community Library, Donegal County Council Public Service Centre, Milford, Co. Donegal, F92 PY9F, between 9:30am to 1pm & 2pm to 5:30pm, Tuesday and Thursday.  

4. At the offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902, between the hours of 9:15am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday (Excluding Bank Holidays)

In addition, documents will be available to view on the Council’s website at consult.donegal.ie.

8. The Natura Impact Statement and the Plans and Particulars will be available for purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy from the Donegal County Council offices specified at paragraph 7.

9. The provisions of section 251 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 relating to the holiday period between the 24^th of December and 1^st of January, both days inclusive, have been taken into account in the calculation of the submission date. Submissions and/or observations may be made in writing to An Coimisiún Pleanála at its offices at 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902, so as to be received not later than 5:30pm on Wednesday the 4^th of February 2026, relating to:

1. The implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development in the area concerned,

2. The likely effects on the environment of the proposed development, and

3. The likely significant effects of the proposed development on a European site,

if the proposed development is carried out.

10. A person may question the validity of the decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála on this application by way of an application for judicial review under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No. 15 of 1986) in accordance with Section 50 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, (as amended).

11. Practical information on the review mechanism can be accessed under the heading Panning Appeals   on An Coimisiún Pleanála ‘s website www.pleanala.ie.