St Columba's Avenue
Homes here mostly date from before 1919. 2 planning files on this house, the latest from 2021. Home extensions nearby almost always get approved (97%).
How planning works, with this area's numbers
steps can overlap · medians for home extensions within 1.5 km, 10 years- 1ApplySite notice up, plans online
- 2Comments5 weeks, €20. Comment to keep your right to appeal
- 3Decision8 weeks by law. Here 49 days
- 4Appeal window4 weeks after the decision
- 5AppealAt An Coimisiún Pleanála
- 6PermissionLasts 5 years
- 7StartStart notice to the council. Here about 8 months after
- 8Sign-offCompletion cert, or the owner opts out
What's the planning story of this house?
When it was built, and the rules since
Most homes here were built before 1919, before planning permission was needed. 2 planning files on this house, the latest from 2022.
Each line is a rule that applies to work done after it.
MeasuredEstimatecouncil register via NPAD · build years: CSO Census 2022, small area
- 20222152142 · new house · approved 2022 · not started, runs out 2027approvedstartedsigned off
- 20212151767 · new house · withdrawnapproved?started?signed off?
Zoning, protection, tax and flood: the detail
No zoning in the plans we hold.
Not on this site: protected building, heritage inventory, monument zone, conservation area, EU nature site, EU bird site, natural heritage area, tree order, landslide risk, derelict list.
Licensed industrial sites within 1.0 km: Buncrana (847 m)
| Within 500 m | Count | For example |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage inventory buildings | 43 | Buncrana Castle; quay/wharf, bridge |
| Monuments | 1 | R177064 |
How we work this out
Sources: Development plan zoning (councils), EPA licensed facilities (LEAP), Residential Zoned Land Tax maps, Constraint layers (bundle), National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, Sites and Monuments Record · fetched 2 Nov 2026, 23:44
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development plan zoning (councils) | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 23:13 | open |
| EPA licensed facilities (LEAP) | CC BY 4.0 | 2 Nov 2026, 23:44 | open |
| Residential Zoned Land Tax maps | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 23:58 | open |
| Constraint layers (bundle) | CC BY 4.0, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026, 19:37 | open |
| National Inventory of Architectural Heritage | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026, 19:35 | open |
| Sites and Monuments Record | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026, 19:29 | open |
How we work this out
Sources: Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database · fetched 5 Nov 2026, 05:03
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 03:55 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 05:03 | open |
Could you extend?
Nothing on this site restricts it: not protected, not in a conservation area.
What happened to applications like yours
A new house in a garden is harder: 94% approved, and 1 in 4 is asked for more information.
Decided applications within 1.5 km, received in the last 10 years. The kind of work is read from each description.
CalculatedOur classificationcouncil register via NPAD · 65 nearby, 3,872 council-wide
Ardaravan, file by file since 2021
17 of 18 decided extensions on the road were approved. New houses in side gardens or on sites: 9 of 9.
62 files with "Ardaravan" in the address within 600 m, other roads of the same name left out. Hover a dot for the house number and reference.
MeasuredOur classificationcouncil register via NPAD · 2021–2026
Extensions and refusals right beside you 0 within 250 m · 0 refused within 100 m
Extensions and refusals near you 0 extensions within 250 m · the last 12 months
No home extensions within 250 m in the last 12 months.
Refused within 100 m 0 in the last 12 months
Nothing refused this close in the last 12 months.
How we work this out
Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database · fetched 5 Nov 2026, 05:03
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026, 23:01 | open |
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 03:55 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 05:03 | open |
How long, and what if someone objects?
A home extension's journey here
A decision takes 49 days. 1 in 4 is asked for more information, which adds about 130 days. Building starts about 8 months after permission.
Bars are medians; whiskers show the middle half. Medians of separate steps don't add up exactly.
Calculated58 decided home extensions, 12 start notices · within 1.5 km, 10 years · NPAD, BCMS, An Coimisiún Pleanála
What appeals changed
4 of 8 appealed approvals were reversed.
Every appeal decided within 1.5 km in 10 years, any kind of development.
CalculatedAn Coimisiún Pleanála cases linked to the council file
Appeals nearby 1 in the last 12 months
- 500954 Pending · Ardaravan, Buncrana, Lifford Po, Co. Donegal · 404 m
Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Courts Service legal diary (judicial reviews), National Planning Application Database · fetched 5 Nov 2026, 05:03
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026, 23:01 | open |
| Courts Service legal diary (judicial reviews) | © the publisher | 4 Nov 2026, 23:17 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 05:03 | open |
What's changing around you?
- 11.1 ha zoned for homes
- 20.3 ha zoned for homes
- 31.5 ha zoned for homes
- 40.8 ha zoned for homes
- 50.1 ha zoned for homes
- 60.6 ha zoned for homes
- 7CASTLE AVENUE, ARDARAVAN 2562216
- 8COCKHILL RD, ARDARAVAN 2562181
- 9ARDARAVAN, BUNCRANA 2660633
- 10NO. 1 ST. EGNEYS TERRACE, BALLYMACARRY 2661691
- 11NO. 3 ST. EGNEY'S TERRACE, BALLYMACARRY 2660386
- 12MARKET SQUARE, ARDARAVAN 2660071
- 13MCCARTERS ROAD, BUNCRANA 2661359
- 14ARDARAVAN, BUNCRANA 2562103
- 15ST ORAN'S ROAD, ARDARAVAN 2562045
What happens to applications within 500 m
Permission isn't building. Of 68 permissions since 2016, 12 show a start notice and 2 have a completion certificate.
Purple bands are refusals turned into permissions on appeal. "No start notice found" includes small jobs that never needed one and notices we couldn't match.
Measured77 applications in 10 years · NPAD, An Coimisiún Pleanála, BCMS start notices and completion certificates
The next 30 days
Nothing closes within 500 m in the next 30 days.
Measuredcouncil registers and An Coimisiún Pleanála · deadlines worked out from the dates on file
Sites that could change 10 within 500 m
Empty land zoned for homes 10
- 11.1 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 20 m
- 20.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 84 m
- 31.5 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 86 m
- 40.8 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 97 m
- 50.1 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 113 m
- 60.6 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 114 m
- 0.2 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 145 m
- 0.4 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 149 m
- 1.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 151 m
- 0.3 ha zoned for homes · no homes built on it yet · 0 m
Not covered here: council land to be sold (Dublin only).
Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), Derelict sites registers, National Planning Application Database, Residential Zoned Land Tax maps · fetched 5 Nov 2026, 05:03
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026, 23:01 | open |
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 03:55 | open |
| Derelict sites registers | CC BY 4.0 | 2 Nov 2026, 23:17 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 05:03 | open |
| Residential Zoned Land Tax maps | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 23:58 | open |
Applications within 500 m, by year
Between 12 and 20 a year; busiest 2022. 94% of decisions were approvals.
2021 and 2026 are part years (*). Exemption requests and time extensions are left out.
Measuredcouncil register via NPAD
Every application within 500 m 14 in the last 12 months
See every application on the map
- 10NO. 1 ST. EGNEYS TERRACE , BALLYMACARRY , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO No decision yetRENOVATION AND EXTENSION OF EXISTING BUILDING TO INCORPORATE THE FOLLOWING (1) EXTENSION TO OFFICE ON GROUND…
- 13MCCARTERS ROAD , BUNCRANA , LIFFORD PO No decision yetNEW ENTRANCE TO SITE OFF ROAD L-1126-0, CONNECTION TO EXISTING SERVICES AND ALL ASSOCIATED WORKS
- ST. HELEN'S , ST. ORAN'S ROAD , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditions(1) RETENTION OF (A) ALTERATIONS TO FRONT PORCH AND MINOR WINDOW / DOOR ALTERATIONS AND (B) 2 NO. PLANT ROOMS…
- 9ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA , LIFFORD PO No decision yetERECTION OF 2 NO. BLOCKS CONTAINING 2 NO. SEMI-DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH CONNECTION TO MAINS SEWER AND PUBLIC…
- 11NO. 3 ST. EGNEY'S TERRACE , BALLYMACARRY , BUNCRANA Approved with conditionsCHANGE OF USE FROM DWELLING TO 2 NO. APARTMENTS INCORPORATING A 2 STOREY EXTENSION TO REAR OF EXISTING…
- CAUSEWAY ROAD , BALLYMACARRY , BUNCRANA No decision yet(I) CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW PERMANENT PART 3-STOREY, PART 2-STOREY POST PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR CRANA COLLEGE AND…
- ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA , CO. DONEGAL Withdrawn or not valid(1) ERECTION OF 2NO. BLOCKS CONTAINING 2NO. SEMI-DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH CONNECTION TO MAINS SEWER AND PUBLIC…
- ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA , LIFFORD PO Withdrawn or not validERECTION OF 2 NO. BLOCKS CONTAINING 2 NO. SEMI-DETACHED DWELLINGS WITH CONNECTION TO MAINS SEWER AND PUBLIC…
- 12MARKET SQUARE , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO RefusedMINOR ALTERATION TO CONDITION NO. 2 OF THE GRANTED PLANNING REF. NO. 23/51183, FOR THE CHANGE OF HOURS OF…
- 7CASTLE AVENUE , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditionsMODIFICATIONS TO GRANTED HOUSE TYPE UNDER PLANNING REF. NO. 25/61362, CONNECTION TO EXISTING SERVICES AND ALL…
- 8COCKHILL RD , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditions(1) DEMOLITION OF OUTBUILDINGS AND (2) ERECTION OF A SINGLE, SELF-CONTAINED DWELLING HOUSE, CONNECTION TO…
- CASTLE AVENUE , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Withdrawn or not validMODIFICATIONS TO GRANTED HOUSE TYPE UNDER PLANNING REF. NO. 25/61362, CONNECTION TO EXISTING SERVICES AND ALL…
- 14ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA , LIFFORD PO Approved with conditionsTEMPORARY USE OF THE SITE FOR STORAGE OF BUILDING MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT AND PERMISSION FOR ERECTION OF 3…
- 15ST ORAN'S ROAD , ARDARAVAN , BUNCRANA LIFFORD PO Approved with conditionsGROUND FLOOR EXTENSION TO THE REAR OF THE APARTMENT PREVIOUSLY GRANTED UNDER PLANNING REF. NO. 25/60379 AND…
How we work this out
Sources: National Planning Application Database, An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices) · fetched 5 Nov 2026, 05:03
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 05:03 | open |
| An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026, 23:01 | open |
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 03:55 | open |
Building work nearby 4 in the last 12 months
- Saint Orans Road, Buncrana, Donegal · 4 Nov 2026 · 7-day notice not signed off · 26/61280 · 491 m
- 11 Upper Main Street, Buncrana, Donegal, F93X9C7 · 15 May 2026 · 3 homes · start notice not signed off · 2351611 · 275 m
- Saint Patrick's Road, Buncrana, Donegal, F93 E6P8 · 13 Mar 2026 · 1 homes · start notice not signed off · 24/61689 · 224 m
- 15 Marian Park, Buncrana, Donegal, F93 R7D4 · 6 Dec 2025 · start notice not signed off · 2560536 · 482 m
How we work this out
Source: Building Control Management System (commencement notices) · fetched 5 Nov 2026, 03:55
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 03:55 | open |
Named places nearby: estate, schemes, crèches, schools
Named places estate, developments, inspections
Crèches and schools inspected
| Name | Latest inspection | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Little Acorns Montessori Playschool · Crèche | 18 Nov 2025 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate | 116 m |
| Little Acorns Nursery · Crèche | 12 Feb 2025 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate | 159 m |
| Shelly's Childcare Ltd. · Crèche | 24 Feb 2026 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate | 213 m |
| Little Acorns Montessori Playschool · Crèche | 4 Sept 2025 · report · Tusla Early Years Inspectorate | 213 m |
How we work this out
How busy is this area Busier than most of Donegal County Council.
How we work this out
Sources: An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed), Building Control Management System (commencement notices), National Planning Application Database · fetched 5 Nov 2026, 05:03
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| An Coimisiún Pleanála cases (ArcGIS feed) | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026, 23:01 | open |
| Building Control Management System (commencement notices) | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 03:55 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 05:03 | open |
What's the area like?
Schools, stops and the council
Schools
- Crana College · postprimary · 585 pupils · 77 m
- St. Mura's National School · primary · 26 pupils · 255 m
- Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha · primary · 67 pupils · 265 m
- Scoil Iosagain · primary · 778 pupils · 330 m
- Scoil Mhuire Secondary School · postprimary · 885 pupils · 475 m
Stops 6
- Buncrana · 951, 959, 976 · 1/hour at peak · 129 m
- Cockhill Rd · 933, 933A, 964 · 297 m
- Cockhill Road · 964 · 299 m
- Buncrana · 976 · 1/hour at peak · 321 m
- Buncrana · 976 · 1/hour at peak · 328 m
- Cockhill Rd · 933, 933A, 951, 959, 976 · 2/hour at peak · 342 m
Schools growing or shrinking planning in 3 years · pupils last year
- Crana College · 77 m-3.1% pupils (585)
- St. Mura's National School · 255 m-13.3% pupils (26)
- Gaelscoil Bhun Cranncha · 265 m-2.9% pupils (67)
- Scoil Iosagain · 330 m-1.5% pupils (778)
- Scoil Mhuire Secondary School · 475 m+1.1% pupils (885)
Sources: Public transport stops and routes (NTA GTFS), Department of Education school list, National Planning Application Database, Council consultation portals, Council meetings (ModernGov), Land Development Agency public land register, cso_saps_2022, National Transport Authority, Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council development plan layers (CC BY 4.0), dartplus.ie project extents over NTA GTFS rail shapes (CC BY 4.0), EPA strategic noise maps, Fingal County Council · fetched 5 Nov 2026, 05:03
| Source | Licence | Fetched | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public transport stops and routes (NTA GTFS) | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026, 23:05 | open |
| Department of Education school list | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Oct 2026, 23:04 | open |
| National Planning Application Database | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026, 05:03 | open |
| Council consultation portals | Public | 5 Nov 2026, 01:15 | open |
| Council meetings (ModernGov) | Public | 5 Nov 2026, 02:33 | open |
| Land Development Agency public land register | CC BY 4.0 | 11 Sept 2026, 16:43 | open |
| cso_saps_2022 | CC BY 4.0 | — | open |
| National Transport Authority | CC BY 4.0 | — | — |
| Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council development plan layers (CC BY 4.0) | CC BY 4.0 | — | — |
| dartplus.ie project extents over NTA GTFS rail shapes (CC BY 4.0) | CC BY 4.0 | — | — |
| EPA strategic noise maps | CC BY 4.0 | — | — |
| Fingal County Council | CC BY 4.0 | — | — |
What to ask, and who
- New house (2152142) approved 2022, not started: still planned?Seller · solicitorAsk for: The grant, and whether it stays with the house.
- On the vacant land tax map: is the 3% tax being paid?SolicitorAsk for: Your solicitor's check of liability or exemption.
- Any work done without planning permission?Seller · solicitorAsk for: An opinion of compliance for the whole house.
Where this is, the terms, the sources
- Townland
- Ardaravan
- Electoral division
- Buncrana Urban
- Electoral area
- Buncrana
Everything we found, as a list 8 lines
- 2 applications on this site; latest 2152142, approved 2022, not started, runs out 2027.
- Not protected; on the vacant land tax map.
- 10 sites nearby could change: 10 empty zoned plots.
- Cockhill Rd (bus 933, 933A) 342 m away: 2 an hour at morning peak; 5 from all stops within 500 m.
- Here (2022 census): 76% owner-occupied; 20% of homes empty; most built before 1919; 55% drive to work; population down 3% since 2016.
- Around here the council decides in a median 51 days (about 7 weeks); 41% are asked for more information.
- 14 applications nearby in the last 12 months; 86% approved (council 93%).
- 73 homes started within 1 km in 3 years (council middle 2).
What the terms mean 6 terms
- Vacant land tax (Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT)): A yearly tax of 3% of the land's value on land that is zoned for homes and serviced but left unbuilt.
- Building started (Commencement notice (BCMS)): The builder must tell the council's building control office 14 to 28 days before work starts.
- Signed off as finished (Certificate of Compliance on Completion): A certificate filed when a building is finished, confirming it meets the building regulations.
- Approved (Grant of permission): The council said yes, usually with conditions.
- Appeal (Appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála): The applicant, or anyone who commented in time, can appeal the council's decision within four weeks.
- What the land is zoned for (Zoning objective): The council's development plan sets what each area is for: homes, shops, open space and so on.
Sources and licences 27
| Source | Publisher | Licence | Fetched |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPA strategic noise maps | — | CC BY 4.0 | — |
| Fingal County Council | — | CC BY 4.0 | — |
| Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council development plan layers (CC BY 4.0) | — | CC BY 4.0 | — |
| National Transport Authority | — | CC BY 4.0 | — |
| services-eu1.arcgis.com | An Coimisiún Pleanála | CC BY 4.0 | 30 Oct 2026 |
| data.nbco.gov.ie | National Building Control Office (BCMS) | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026 |
| data.gov.ie | Various (see each layer) | CC BY 4.0, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026 |
| services-eu1.arcgis.com | National Inventory of Architectural Heritage | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026 |
| services-eu1.arcgis.com | National Monuments Service (SMR) | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Sept 2026 |
| dlrcoco.citizenspace.com | Local authorities (consultation portals) | Public | 5 Nov 2026 |
| www2.courts.ie | — | © the publisher | 4 Nov 2026 |
| cso.ie | — | CC BY 4.0 | — |
| dartplus.ie project extents over NTA GTFS rail shapes (CC BY 4.0) | — | CC BY 4.0 | — |
| services-eu1.arcgis.com | Local authorities (derelict sites registers) | CC BY 4.0 | 2 Nov 2026 |
| data.epa.ie | Environmental Protection Agency (LEAP licence register) | CC BY 4.0 | 2 Nov 2026 |
| transportforireland.ie | National Transport Authority | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026 |
| lda.ie | Land Development Agency | CC BY 4.0 | 11 Sept 2026 |
| meetings.fingal.ie | Local authorities (council meetings) | Public | 5 Nov 2026 |
| services.arcgis.com | Department of Housing (National Planning Application Database) | CC BY 4.0 | 5 Nov 2026 |
| services-eu1.arcgis.com | Tailte Éireann | CC BY 4.0 | 11 Sept 2026 |
| services-eu1.arcgis.com | CSO, Tailte Éireann, OpenStreetMap contributors | CC BY 4.0 | 4 Oct 2026 |
| propertypriceregister.ie | Property Services Regulatory Authority (PPR) | © PSRA, PSI licence | 5 Nov 2026 |
| services.arcgis.com | Local authorities (RZLT maps) | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026 |
| gov.ie | Department of Education | CC BY 4.0 | 27 Oct 2026 |
| gov.ie | Department of Housing | CC BY-SA 4.0 | 23 Oct 2026 |
| tusla.ie | Tusla (Early Years Inspectorate) | Public register | 4 Nov 2026 |
| services.arcgis.com | Local authorities via the Department of Housing (GZT / MyPlan) | CC BY 4.0 | 1 Nov 2026 |