Council officials are seeking ‘Further Information (FI)’ on plans for a major development in the centre of Letterkenny.
The former Gleneany House building could be demolished to make way for a large residential and business development under plans lodged by the M & B Kelly Partnership.
The development at the corner of the Port Road/Pearse Road is expected to include a range of buildings providing student accommodation, retail space, a restaurant, office, residential units and a new Baptist church.
William Donoghue & Associates Ltd has been appointed by M & B Kelly Partnership to design the proposed 240,000sqft scheme.
A decision on the application was due today, however, planners have submitted an FI request to the developers.
The request is a lengthy one, however, the council indicated it is in favour of the proposal.
“Applicant is advised that the Planning Authority has no objections in principle to the scale and density of the overall proposal, in light of the potential of this site to result in a landmark building within a key location within the town centre, its location opposite the existing bus station, and next to a possible future Transport Hub, alongside its proximity to ATU and overall, to the demand for student housing, private and social housing across Letterkenny,” the council said.
“However, there are some aspects of these scheme which suggest that there are some symptoms of overdevelopment such as substandard internal layouts for the private and social apartments and some constraints facing accessibility and inclusiveness to public open space. It is considered however that these aspects can be overcome and resolved through the provision of a basement car park, a reduction in levels, a marginal reduction in floorspace, and an improved internal layout in order to improve the residential quality of the scheme.”