'A good year' for Ballyshannon

A continuation of work on the area's biodiversity will be the focus for the Ballyshannon Action Group for the coming year, writes Brian Byrne. That was agreed at the group's AGM last evening, held in Ballyshannon Community Hall.

Reflecting on the past year, committee chair Jim Burke said it had been a good one for the group and the community. The Coimisiún Pleanála decision quashing the Kilsaran planning application for a quarry at Racefield had been "a relief to all", he said. "It has been a hard time, nearly six years. It was tough going, but we got through it." He warned, though, that the community won't really have won until Kilsaran sells the land. "They could potentially file an application again with the council and change whatever they can change." The meeting heard that the statutory appeal against the Coimisiún Pleanála decision had still not been completed, and that there is as yet also no information on whether and when the group will have their legal costs reimbursed.

A grant towards biodiversity work received in the spring had been "well spent", the meeting heard. The money was used to buy fruit trees, native hedgerow plants, and bird nesting boxes, which were distributed across the area, including some to Calverstown and the local scouts group. Help with the biodiversity garden in Ballyshannon NS was also much appreciated. In all, some 1,800 trees were planted. 

Future plans include the provision of nature signs and further planting, all building on the work of the Biodiversity Plan produced in 2024 with the help of the Community Foundation and ecologist Catherine O'Connell.

The meeting re-elected Jim Burke as chair and Anna Sage as treasurer. Shauna O'Rourke stepped down as secretary and was replaced by Clare Keon.    

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