Holiday homes could be banned in some parts of Donegal following an overwhelming rejection of them by members of the public.
Donegal County Council received hundreds of written submissions to its draft development plan, the majority of which asserted that no more holiday homes be built.
County manager Michael McLoone has recommended that specific areas be defined as "exclusion zones" for such developments.
Many submissions claimed there were more holiday homes than permanent homes in areas such as Downings and parts of Inishowen. In his report on the housing element of the plan, Mr McLoone said the feedback on the contentious holiday home issue was both "emotive and overwhelming".
Mr McLoone is proposing that councillors make an amendment to the draft. If adopted, it will mean development of holiday homes will be prohibited at locations that have reached saturation point.
The county manager noted that while holiday home development can have some benefits, "it also has a negative impact on the environment and the affordability of housing for private individuals". He recommends that single or multiple holiday home developments will not be permitted in the areas defined as a "holiday home exclusion zone".
The manager has also recommended an omission from part of the draft which states that where an applicant cannot demonstrate a need for a rural house, they must pay a bond of €10,000.
One submission said the bond should be increased to €70,000, another claimed that the bond permits people to "buy" planning permission.
A large number of submissions were received from the Inishowen area which called for the peninsula to be designated a "green box area" to protect it from overdevelopment. One submission, from An Taisce, called for less political interference in the planning process.
A large number of councillors made submissions on behalf of individuals who wanted town and village control points (boundaries) moved to facilitate further development.
In total, 343 written submissions were received from the public and councillors as well as 15 submissions from local and national groups. Councillors will meet in Lifford on February 7th to decide whether to accept or amend the draft plan.