Donegal has huge potential given its natural landscape and built heritage. These resources must be protected and maximised for the benefit of both the residential community and tourists to facilitate economic development.

Donegal County Council has committed significant resource to development of the beachfront area in Narin Portnoo which has made this location a very attractive amenity for locals and visitors alike. However excessive barking by camper vans is undermining the amenity by blocking the car park, causing excessive rubbish and abuse of the excellent toileting facilities and water supply. On any weekend and all through the summer the entire car park can be taken over by camper vans. To preserve this amenity, all overnight parking should be prohibited and camper vans should be prohibited at any time along the beachfront area. In contrast facilitation of the development of commercial camping facilities should be encouraged.

A similar issue was arising at the pier, and Donegal County Council have erected a barrier to limit this usage however the barrier is at the rear of the pier so most camper vans do not realise it is there until they are already down at the pier causing a traffic hazard and can park outside the barrier. This barrier should be moved to the top of the road and a sign erected warning camper vans not to enter.

The pier is also an amenity well preserved by Donegal County Council however it requires a water supply - a basic tap to maximise its potential.

The area is also the location for various heritage sites including in particular Inishkeel Island, the Dolmen and Doon Fort. All of these are accessible by public right of way through private lands but none of these rights of way are listed in the current County development plan. There are many more like them and to protect these essential access routes, the current County development plan should be reviewed and updated to include all known public rights of way.

Preservation of the public right of way by including it in the development plan is the first step which must be followed by protection, and, if necessary, enforcement (as is currently the case with the public right of way to Castlegoland Beach, one of the public rights of way currently listed in the County development plan). More routes need to be added to ensure these public rights are available and protected countywide.

In relation to the public rights of way listed in the current County development plan the map attached only generally indicates the location of the public right of way. The required records indicating their exact location will be in the County archives from the time each of these public right of ways was added to the County development plan. These maps should be copied onto current maps and form part of the County development plan to avoid any issues into the future and in this way future proof these invaluable public rights.,

All of these public rights of way are an invaluable public asset for the local community, visitors and the economic development of the area.

Furthermore they regularly provide the required infrastructure to facilitate the preservation and access to our natural and built heritage.

Donegal County Council has done some fantastic work in the development of cycleways and walkways but much more of this needs to be done. These lead to economic regeneration in their areas, a fantastic facility for exercise and social amenity for locals and visitors alike and in this way supports the Healthy Ireland initiative. More routes need to be added to ensure these are available countywide ultimately providing a route connecting the entire county. The upgrade and maintenance of existing pathways and public rights of way will make significant inroads into facilitating this infrastructure.

Draft Donegal County Development Plan 2024 - 2030 - Submissions

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