Planners and parishioners have asked a south Donegal Parish Priest not to demolish a historic parochial house.
Fr James Sweeney lodged a planning application to Donegal County Council seeking to raze the derelict dwelling and sheds at Drimarone, Letterbarrow, near Frosses.
The stone two-storey house was built more than a century ago, but has been vacant for around 15 years.
According to planning documents from the priest’s architects, the building is in an ‘extremely poor state’ internally and several areas are ‘in a state of collapse’.
However planners, and some parishioners, strongly disagree and say the house should be refurbished.
The council last month sent Fr Sweeney a Further Information (FI) request, seeking evidence that the building was beyond repair.
Drimarone Church and Parochial House (extreme left) taken between 1922 and 1925 by the then Rev TR Griffith.
Planners asked him to submit further documentary evidence from a specialist contractor clearly detailing the possibility of refurbishment of the subject building as opposed to demolition.
“Applicant is advised that the Planning Authority encourages refurbishment of historic building stock, unless it can be definitively shown that refurbishment is not possible,” the FI requested added.
Seven locals have also lodged objections to the proposed demolition.
One described the proposal as ‘a disgrace’, adding that it was built with the help of local volunteers and with money raised locally.
They also stated the house was not maintained in recent years and refurbishment grants of up to €70,000 are currently available.
“This house would be one of the best stone buildings in the Drimarone area,” they added.
“It should be retained, sold or renovated for local housing need(s).”
Other objectors described the structure as ‘perfectly sound’ and claimed there was no consultation with parishioners.
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