Creeslough service station plans refused following planning appeal

An Coimisiún Pleanála overturned Donegal County Council's approval.

The proposal had received approval from Donegal County Council in March, subject to 17 conditions; however, the Commission ruled that the development was incompatible with the site's current zoning under the county development plan.

Ten people lost their lives in the explosion at a service station and apartment complex in Creeslough on October 7, 2022.

The applicants, who owned the former service station, had applied to demolish the existing building and replace it with a new premises incorporating a shop, post office, off-licence, forecourt and fuel pumps.

In its decision, the Commission said the development would undermine the area's intended use for recreational, leisure and community facilities.

It also warned that approving the proposal could create a precedent for similar commercial projects on nearby land designated for amenity purposes.

The council's decision was challenged by some families bereaved by the explosion with their representatives, Damien Tansey Solicitors describing the approval as "unacceptable" and "flawed".

The submission argued that allowing a similar development to proceed would be premature while investigations into the fatal explosion remained ongoing.

The Commission concluded that the proposed commercial development did not comply with the site's current planning designation and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

A separate proposal to redevelop the original site of the explosion was also refused planning permission following an appeal last year.

The latest decision comes just after the fourth anniversary of the tragedy last week, for which there was a gathering in Creeslough last Thursday afternoon, when more than 200 people came together to remember the ten victims of the tragedy.

Those who died were Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Catherine O’Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Jessica Gallagher; Martin McGill; James O’Flaherty; shop worker Martina Martin; Hugh Kelly; and Leona Harper.