Page 22 - Donegal CC An Rpt 19

Donegal County Council Annual Report 2019
Taking in Charge
In 2019 the Council continued to work through the remaining unfinished estates it received funding for under the Government’s Site Resolution Fund (SRF), Public Safety Initiative (PSI) and National Taking in Charge Initiative (NTICI).
In addition to those developments formally categorised as Unfinished Housing Developments (UFHDs), the Planning Authority also utilised security bonds and own resources to carry out remedial work within other estates to assist in their taking in charge.
The Council progressed the taking in charge of residential estates throughout 2019 with a number of significant contracts awarded and resolution works commenced during the year and 7 estates were formally taken over by elected members at Municipal District level.
Funding under the Government’s National Taking in Charge Initiative was utilised in a number of instances. This funding was awarded for two different types of residential developments:
(i) Estates connected to the public foul network (Measure 1) (ii) Estates serviced by developer provided infrastructure
Total expenditure on Unfinished Housing Developments (UFHD) and in the Taking in Charge of Residential estates programme in 2019 amounted to €863,000. This included funding from the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government, security bond monies and Council’s own resources.
Development Applications Unit
2500
2000
1500
1000
500 0
2014 2015
2016 2017
2018 2019
45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10%
5% 0%
Total Applications Received 2014 - 2019
% Rates of Deferral by MD 2019
1753
1523
1893
1993 1993
2043
31%
42%
35%
33%
23%
The profile of application types continues to show a steady number of residential type applications but also indicates a significant number of commercial applications being considered by the Planning Service. The data masks the increasing complexity of cases, particularly in the area of habitat assessment, which has resulted in applications requiring a higher threshold of consideration than may have been the case previously. 34% of all applications have been the subject of requests for further information during 2019 that highlights not just the complexity
of cases but also an increasing need for workshops with agents and architects in relation to the emerging issues that have to be considered as part of the assessment of many applications.
Two workshops were held with 50 no agents who submit the majority of applications, this will continue in 2020.
Donegal
Glenties
Inishowen
Letterkenny
Stranorlar