Conservation Service

Proposed Additions to the Record of Protected Structures 2020   Background to Proposed Additions   This is a work programme following on from the Additions 2019. It consists of a total of 3 structures which have been proposed by the owner of the structure, to be added to the Record of Protected Structures (RPS), over the past year.   The Additions Process   The following table sets out the 7 main steps required under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (As amended) to add additions onto the Record of Protected Structures under Section 55 of the Planning and Development Act.   Table 1: Section 55 Process Step Task Date 1 Start consultation on proposed additions Serve notice on owners and occupiers Add in Newspapers 26th October 2020 2 Public display period (10 weeks) 26th October – 4th January 2020 3 Monitor submissions and observations and submit to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 26th October – 4th January 2020 4 Report to Members summarising submissions received during consultation period January 2020 5 Present to MD Meeting September 2018 for decision to add the proposed additions January 2020 6 Prepare Chief Executive’s Order January 2020 7 Serve final notice to all owners/occupiers that the structure is protected or not January 2020   Donegal County Council has decided, at the Letterkenny  Municipal District meeting in October 2020, to start the Consultation Process in relation to 3 proposed additions to the Record of Protected Structures and formally serve notice on Owner/s and Occupier/s. Full details and particulars of the structures proposed to be added to the Record of Protected Structures and the Public Notice outlining that Donegal County Council proposes to add a number of structures to its Record of Protected Structures in accordance with sections 53, 54 & 55 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) can be viewed by clicking the links below or in hard copy in the Letterkenny Public Service Centre or at County house Lifford.  Consultation responses should be forwarded to the Council and received no later than 4pm 4th January  2020.   Details and Particulars of Proposed Structures English Notice Irish Notice ‌‌‌

Donegal has a rich and varied built heritage which includes piers, coastguard stations and lighthouses together with Napoleonic-era signal towers dotted along coastline and forts and batteries along the Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle; larger country houses and estates are concentrated in the more fertile landscapes of the county; important public buildings and a legacy of religious buildings ranging from early ecclesiastical sites such as the place of pilgrimage at Lough Derg to the modern churches designed by Liam McCormick.  

With the  success of the Wild Atlantic Way and with Donegal being named as ‘The coolest place on the planet’ by the National Geographic Traveller Magazine, Donegal’s heritage has a key part to play in promoting economic prosperity not only in terms of the key visitor attractions and iconic structures such as Fanad Lighthouse and Glenveagh Castle, but also by contributing to the attractiveness of the County in terms of its living and working conditions.  

Donegal County Council advocates through legislation, working with various organisations and the wider general public, that together we can work to protect our irreplaceable heritage asset. 

The links below provide an overview of what buildings are protected in the county. There is also a frequently asked questions section together with information on grant schemes and further reading on conservation.

What buildings are protected in Donegal? 

The up to date list of Protected Structures in Donegal is set out in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) (See written Text below) which is contained in Part B: Appendix 3 Development Guidelines and Technical Standards of the Draft County Donegal Development Plan 2018–2024.  Each building has a unique RPS number. If you need further details about the structure and its location you can contact the Donegal Conservation Officer. 

RPS Updated 2020

What buildings are on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) in Donegal? 

The NIAH is an inventory of architectural heritage which was compiled by the Department of Culture Heritage and the Environment. The County Donegal NIAH was launched in Donegal on April 2015 and the Minister at that time recommended to Donegal County Council under Section 53(1) of the Act that all structures of a national or regional rating be added onto the RPS.A phase 1 addition process was carried out in 2017 and the changes made were incorporated into Part B: Appendix 3 Development Guidelines and Technical Standards of the draft Donegal Development Plan 2018–2024. Donegal County Council intends to carry out further Phases of additions to the RPS over the next 7 years.

Do works to a building on the NIAH list require planning permission

Do you want to check if your building is on the Record of Protected Structures or on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage?

If so you can check here. The Dark blue dots are NIAH structures and the pink stars are RPS structures.  If you click on either it will bring up information on each property.

• The full Donegal NIAH survey is available on www.buildingsofireland.ie 

• Conservation Frequently Asked Questions

‌

Section 57 Declaration

Owners or occupiers of a Protected Structure may request a ‘declaration’ under Section 57 of the Act. The purpose of this declaration is for Planning Authorities to clarify in writing the kind of works that would or would not materially affect the character of the structure or any element of the structure which contributes to its special interest. The issuing of a declaration is a service that the Planning Authority provides at no cost to the owner or occupant of a protected structure. The Planning Authority has twelve weeks from the receipt of a request for a Section 57 to have it completed.

Section 57 application form

‌

 ‌

For more information contact Acting Conservation Officer

email:         planning@donegalcoco.ie

Telephone: 074 9153900