Controversial Dungloe development can go ahead – objection cheque wasn’t signed

Highland Radio News has learned that a major research project has been given the go-ahead off the West Donegal Coast because someone at An Taisce appears to have forgotten to sign a cheque.
Queen’s University Belfast  was granted permission by Donegal County Council to place 54  – 5 tonne – concrete pillars for research purposes along the coast to the west of Falchorrib Pier, close to Dungloe.
But an appeal by An Taisce Donegal to An Bord Pleanala failed, because the appeal fee was deemed invalid as a cheque had not been signed.
Donegal County Council granted conditional permission to Queen’s University, Belfast to go ahead with the project to construct fifty-four 5 tonne concrete pillars to test how the concrete reacts to the elements.
The council received a number of objections – these included that pillars would interfere with locals fishing, that they would damage the appearance of the area for tourists.
It was also claimed the pillars should not be allowed as the area is classed as being a special area of conservation.
But the council gave the go ahead that decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala by An Taisce Donegal. Because of it is a state body, the cost of the appeal was 110 euro.
Today An Bord Pleanala through out the objection, a source stated that while a cheque in the correct amount had been submitted, it had not been signed and was therefore deemed an invalid fee.