DONEGAL County Council has flatly rejected claims they are ignoring unauthorised developments in the Stranorlar Electoral Area (SEA).

Councillor JJ Reid claimed at Tuesday's meeting that "nothing happens" if someone builds without planning permission.

However, Mr Paul Christie, Senior Planner, rejected the claim saying that his department have completed a review of all unauthorised developments dating back to 2004. Cllr Reid said a number of enforcement notices had been served over the years and added similar developments were being carried out unchecked.

"People are building without planning permission knowing nothing will happen about it," Cllr Reid claimed.

Mr Christie replied: "I can not accept that accusation that nothing happens when an unauthorised development is carried out".

His office was up to date with current unauthorised developments and the review of old cases was an ongoing process. He told the meeting a planner has been recruited to deal specifically with unauthorised developments, however, the enforcement officer for the area has a backlog of nearly 200 to deal with. The meeting also heard that 32 warning letters were served in relation to such developments. Mr Christiesaid while the level of planning applications had levelled off across the county, they had increased by 13 per cent in the SEA since last year.