Posted online: Apr 4th, 2008

By Elaine McFadden
elaine@letterkennypost.com
The old song of ‘Letterkenny Town’ may not have as much significance for our children’s children; if the town is to become a city by 2020, it is hoped.
At a special meeting of the Letterkenny Town Council this week, a draft review of the town plan was put forward and it will now go for public consultation later this year.
This could mean the Letterkenny’s chances of reaching all the criteria to become a city will be more possible than ever by 2020, as the town numbers are increasing.
Speaking to the Letterkenny Post this week, Councillor Damien Blake said that the meeting brought the council up to speed on the overall strategy of the town plan which is looking at how to connect all the facilities we have.
“We are currently reviewing the present town plan, to make a new one for around April or May next year,” Cllr Blake said.
“With all the public submissions from October time now addressed as to what was good and bad about the old town plan and what we could do for the future one, a report has been drawn up and we are happy with the process and the direction we are moving in.
One of the most important things was that we were brought up to speed on was how the plan will connect the overall network of the town, like the schools, work facilities and residential facilities,” Cllr Blake continued.
Cllr Blake went on to say that taking all this into consideration, the town population by 2020, will equal that of other city towns.
“The overall population projection under the plan is over about 40,000 by 2020 which would make Letterkenny around the same size as some of the current city towns like Waterford and Kilkenny,” he said.
“With our status as the ecclesiastical centre and the educational centre, it would be considered that we would tick all the boxes then to become a city,” he concluded.