(1) RETENTION OF SHOPFRONT TO ‘KENNEDYS BY THE SEA’ INCLUDING RELOCATED ENTRANCE DOOR

On 1 May 2026 the Donegal County Council received a new planning application from Paul Kennedy, the owner of the local retail and hospitality business Kennedys by the Sea. The proposal, numbered 2660783, seeks to retain the existing shopfront on Quay Street while making a series of modest alterations to the building’s façade and access points. The council’s decision on the application is scheduled for 25 June 2026.

Kennedys by the Sea is a well‑known name on Quay Street, a busy thoroughfare that runs along the water’s edge in Donegal Town. The shopfront is a small, single‑storey retail or hospitality premises that has been part of the streetscape for many years. The applicant’s request for “retention of shopfront” means that the existing façade will be preserved, but the entrance door will be moved to a new position on the same wall. In addition, the application includes changes to the glazing and signage, a replacement of the windows on the first floor, and the erection of a new wall sign on the front elevation.

The relocation of the entrance door is a key element of the proposal. By moving the door, the applicant intends to improve customer access and create a more welcoming approach to the shop. The new glazing scheme will replace the current windows with larger, more energy‑efficient units, which will also allow more natural light into the interior. The signage changes are designed to update the shop’s visual identity while still respecting the historic character of the building. Finally, the new wall sign will be erected on the front elevation, providing a clear indication of the business name and services offered.

The application is a small‑scale change that falls within the council’s planning framework for alterations to existing premises. The council will consider the impact of the changes on the streetscape, the visual character of Quay Street, and any heritage or conservation concerns that may apply. Public consultation is open, and the council will invite comments from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders before making a decision.

Kennedys by the Sea is not the only project on Quay Street that has attracted planning attention in recent weeks. The council’s planning portal lists a number of other applications in the area, including a new dwelling house with a septic tank (application 2660784), a beer‑garden bar retention (application 2660785), and a new dwelling house with a septic tank (application 2660786). The local news site has covered several of these projects, providing residents with updates on the status of each application.

The application for Kennedys by the Sea is part of a broader set of planning applications that have been submitted in Donegal Town in the past month. The council’s portal lists the following projects: a new dwelling house with a septic tank (application 2660867), a beer‑garden bar retention (application 2660858), and a new dwelling house with a septic tank (application 2660783). These projects reflect the ongoing development and regeneration of the town’s commercial and residential areas.

The council’s decision on the Kennedys by the Sea application will be made by 25 June 2026. The council will consider the application in the context of the wider streetscape and the impact on the surrounding area. The council’s planning portal will publish the decision once it has been made, and the applicant will be notified of the outcome.

The application is open to public comment, and residents and businesses in the area are encouraged to submit any concerns or support for the proposal. The council will consider the comments received before making a final decision.

The application is a small‑scale change that is expected to have a minimal impact on the surrounding area. The council will consider the impact on the streetscape, heritage, and any other relevant factors before making a decision. The decision will be made by 25 June 2026, and the applicant will be notified of the outcome.

For more details, see the application on the Donegal County Council planning portal.

Summary written by localnews.ie from the original source coverage. Click through for the full report.