Councillor says businesses in Donegal Town being failed by planning regulator - Donegal Daily

Planning bureaucracy is failing businesses in Donegal Town according to Fianna Fail councillor Michael Naughton.

Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Naughton has expressed his deep frustration at the rejection of rezoned land for economic development in Donegal Town.

Naughton raised the issue at a Donegal Municipal District meeting on Tuesday.

Naughton has called for an urgent meeting with the Office of the Planning Regulator, and Donegal County Council planning department, and the Economic Development team in a bid to reverse the decision.

After the meeting concluded, Naughton told Donegal Daily , "We worked extensively on a plan for the last number of years, and we had land zoned for economic development and expansion. Unfortunately, the planning regulator sent a report back saying the lands in Donegal Town are unsuitable."

Naughton said the businesses looking to expand in Donegal Town are being failed by the system.

"We're not moving in the right direction for Donegal Town. I think it's very regrettable that we have a number of businesses who contribute rates to the Donegal County Council are being denied the opportunity to expand their operations.

"There is a big onus on us as sitting councillors, the planning department in Donegal County Council, and the economic development to sort this out, and make sure we have land for businesses looking to scale," said Naughton.

The Fianna Fáil councillor met with the Chamber of Commerce in Dublin a few weeks ago, to see how he can drive future investment and business to Donegal.

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However, he quipped that at the minute there's not enough land available to even 'turn a car on' for economic development in Donegal Town.

"It's just not good enough. We know Donegal Town is a thriving town, and there's a huge amount of businesses in Donegal Town, but there are a lot of businesses that want to scale and expand, and want to give more rates back to the Donegal County Council, but at the minute they are being denied that opportunity, as there is nowhere for them to go," said Naughton.

Naughton acknowledged that the current situation is a bad look for all those in the corridors of power in the county.

"It's a bad reflection on us as councillors, the planning department of the Donegal County Council, and the economic development team. We just have to work together to make sure that we deliver for the business people paying rates in this county," said Naughton.