Twin Towns Regeneration Plan

BASICC is dedicated to developing Ballybofey and Stranorlar as a great place to live, work and do business. Since our inception we have worked with many partners to identify projects and draw down funding in a variety of areas.

In 2019 we launched a new focus on developing a long term strategy for the Regeneration of the Twin Towns.  Working with the community, businesses and partners including Donegal County Council and DLDC / Leader, we are developing plans to help the towns face the challenges of the coming years.

In November 2019, with Donegal County Council, we hosted a major consultation event in Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar   Since then Donegal County Council and BASICC has continued to work on the project, refining the feedback received and identifying potential projects.   Alongside the development of a full Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan two key projects were identified

1. A major town centre regeneration project covering the Ritz building and town car park
2. Plans for developing a town park and the environs of Drumboe Woods

You can find more details of all our projects and how they are developing below.

BASICC is delighted to be working with Donegal County Council to develop a Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan for the town centres of Ballybofey and Stranorlar.   In September 2020 Donegal County Council appointed regeneration experts, Pasparakis Friel Architects, to work alongside them and BASICC in this work.  We expect a draft report to be published in December 2020, with the final report due in early 2021.

We look forward to engaging with everyone who is interested to help develop a Strategy.  Look out for your chances to input through online surveys and community meetings.    

In addition to the work that is happening on our Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan, Donegal County Council in collaboration with BASICC is proposing a Town Centre Regeneration Project in Ballybofey & Stranorlar, Co. Donegal.  This project was identified through feedback given at our Regeneration Consultation event in November 2019 at Kee’s Hotel.   The ‘SEED’ project is a sustainable, green, regeneration project that will engage in place-making and people to revitalise the town centre of Ballybofey-Stranorlar. It will deliver a ‘green heart’ via a new town square with public amenities in the centre of the town, together with enterprise space in a repurposed heritage building and additional town centre car parking capacity.

In early 2020 a funding application, which was unfortunately declined, was submitted under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) for preparatory work this project.  The work put into this application is being developed and adapted into a new RRDF application which is now due to be submitted in December 2020.

A public consultation event was held in The BASE, Stranorlar on 10 September 2020.  On 22 September full details of the project were launched online by Donegal County Council. You can find the information HERE.  You are invited to give your feedback on the proposals through the Donegal County Council planning division, as detailed on their page.

For more details visit our dedicated SEED page here.

You can help to develop a new plan for our towns in a number of ways

1. Complete this online survey before 23 September 2020 to have your say on what you would like to see in the towns

Click this link to complete the online survey.

Appointment of Regeneration Strategy Experts – September 2020

In September 2020 Donegal County Council has appointed regeneration experts, Pasparakis Friel Architects, to work alongside them and BASICC to continue the work developing a Regeneration Strategy and Action Plan.  They will begin consultations with the community and businesses shortly. Their first steps will be to launch an online consultation this week.   The Strategy will focus on actions for the regeneration of the town centres. The aim is to develop strong and vibrant town centres with business and community at their heart. The strategy is also about attracting investment and making the towns a great place to live and work.

Read the Press Release here.

Work begins on new Digital Hub for Ballybofey and Stranorlar – August 2020

In August work on a new Digital Hub for Ballybofey and Stranorlar has begun in The BASE Enterprise Centre, Stranorlar.  Funding was secured in partnership with Donegal County Council and the Western Development Commission under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to establish the Hub in the Twin Towns.  The Hub will provide a focal point for start-ups and growing companies in the Digital and Technology spaces and will provide CoWorking, Office Space, Meeting Rooms alongside new informal spaces.  The development of the Hub is a strong support for our regeneration plans, helping to attract exciting new companies, create jobs and linking the towns with high growth industry sectors.

Update on Regeneration Project – March 2020

Since the Consultation event in November Donegal County Council and BASICC has continued to work on the project, refining the feedback received and identifying potential projects.  A funding application, which was unfortunately declined, was submitted under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) in February 2020 for preparatory work on a major town centre project.  The work put into this application is being developed and adapted into a new RRDF application in the future.

BASICC has also submitted an application for funding under the LEADER programme to undertake a feasibility study on the development of Drumboe Woods and Environs.  We expect to hear whether this application has been successful at the beginning of October 2020 

Consultation Event – November 2019

In November 2019 we held a consultation event in Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar. Over 60 people attended and talked about their vision for the town centres over the next 20 years.  There was a real sense of optimism and opportunity generated from the event in November has helped drive the work of our group over the last number of months.   You can read the  Consultation event report here

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