LYIT Regional Science Park plans threatened by local planning objections

The granting of planning permission for a two and three storey extension to the existing co-lab building at Letterkenny Institute of Technology has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.
The proposed development is part of the North West Regional Science Park.
Letterkenyn Town Council had awarded conditional permission for the development but that has been objected to by a number of local residents.
In August, CoLab, the Innovation Centre at Letterkenny IT, outlined substantial funding for 3 innovative projects claiming to be bringing the ‘world renowned and highly successful Northern Ireland Science Park brand, operating model and support programmes to Letterkenny and Derry.’
To facilitate this LYIT applied for and was granted permission for a two and three storey extension to existing co-lab building.
But there were a number of objections – these included claims that there wasn’t enough parking, it was over-development in a residential area, would increase traffic on the Ballyraine Road and see the erosion of family homes in the area.
A planners report in response determined, for the most part, that the objectors concerns were unfounded and permission was granted.
That decision has now be appealed to An Bord Pleanala which will make its decision known by the middle of April 2014.