A Donegal County Council Planning Enforcement Officer has visited the former Village Court bar in Kilmacrennan, and his report finds that recent renovations at the premises are in order, and not in breach of planning regulations
In the report which was sent to the owner this afternoon, the Enforcement Officer notes that the works comprised of internal refurbishment works, which are an exempt development.
The former bar area was vacant and unoccupied.
The building comprises a number of private locked bedrooms, toilets and a ground floor kitchen and communal area.
The report says the former hotel is currently occupied by migrant refugees, on a temporary basis, in line with the government rehousing scheme.
The building has been inspected by the developer’s architect and the Fire Safety Officer.
The planner says on the basis of the site inspection and having regard to the provisions of the Planning &
Development Regulations, it is considered that the current use and refurbishment works are exempt.
He concludes it is deemed that an offence has not taken place in this instance, and recommends that formal enforcement action does not proceed.
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Extract from official report –
During my site inspection, I met with the developer, who showed me around the entirety of the building which comprises of a former hotel and ground floor bar, which was up until
recently vacant and derelict. During my inspection I
noted that the works comprised of internal
refurbishment works (exempt development). The
former bar area was vacant and unoccupied. The
building comprises of a number of private locked
bedrooms, external balcony on the first floor,
external stairwell along the northern gable
elevation, ground floor kitchen and communal area,
toilets, plant room, corridors, and private enclosed
outdoor walled space for bin storage etc.
The former hotel is currently occupied by migrant
refugees, on a temporary basis, in line with the
government rehousing scheme.
The building has been inspected by the developer’s
architect and the Fire Safety Officer.
Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (As
amended)
Class 14 Change of Use (Exempt Development)
Development consisting of a change
of use—
(h) from use as a hotel, motel, hostel, guesthouse,
holiday accommodation, convent, monastery,
Defence Forces barracks or other premises or
residential institution providing overnight
accommodation, or part thereof, or from the change
of use specified in paragraph (i) of the said
premises or institution, or part thereof, to use as
accommodation for protected persons,
(i) from use as a hotel, motel, hostel, guesthouse,
holiday accommodation, convent, monastery,
Defence Forces barracks or other premises or
residential institution providing overnight
accommodation, or part thereof, or from the change
of use specified in paragraph (h) of the said
premises or institution, or part thereof, to use as an
emergency reception and orientation centre for
protected persons, and
On the basis of the above site inspection and
having regard to the provisions of the Planning &
Development Regulations (as stated above), it is
considered that the refurbishment works are
exempt and the current use is exempt.
