Donegal County Council planners are seeking ‘Further Information’ in relation to controversial plans to rebuild a service station on the site of the Creeslough explosion.
Numerous objections have been lodged against Vivo Shell Ltd’s application for the development at the location where ten people lost their lives at the Applegreen shopping and apartment complex in October 2022.
A decision was due on the planning application today. However, planners sent a ‘further information’ request to the developers yesterday.
The council has asked Vivo Shell to submit documentary evidence that demonstrates they have ‘sufficient legal title’ to make the planning application.
According to the planning file, a submission has been received from a member of the Duntally Woods Apartment Owners Management Company (OMC). The company states that part of the site was transferred over to them in November 2021 and “therefore, clarification is required from the applicant on this matter.”
The council has also requested revised layout plans in relation to the relocation of the proposed Post Office as well as a loading bay and other technical issues. The applicant has six months to comply with the request.
An artist’s impression of the proposed new shop.
Back in April, the mother of one of the victims told Donegal Daily she was shocked over the proposals for the new complex. Donna Harper’s daughter Leona (14) lost her life in the explosion.
Claims that the shop will be in a new location to where the original store once stood has left people hurt.
Mrs Harper said it doesn’t go far enough, “It’s the same site, and the fact that the building is relocated just to a different part of the site offers very little compassion when you place a petrol pump in a forecourt on the same place where 10 people lost their lives,” she told Donegal Daily.
“The thought of concrete being poured over where our daughter took her last breath is heartbreaking. And what about the poor injured people and all those people traumatised?
“To me, it’s a very sacred holy piece of ground and it’s unbearable what they are doing.”
Donna remains hopeful that the site can be turned into a memorial garden for families to visit.
A petition opposing the reconstruction of the store and calling for victims to be honoured with a memorial has gathered over 1,300 signatures.