Photograph 1 of 4 of Creaghadoos, St. Johnston, Co. Donegal
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Creaghadoos, St. Johnston, Co. Donegal

€55,000

What you'll like:

  • Generous Site Area: The property includes a substantial 0.70-acre plot, providing ample outdoor space for landscaping, parking, and privacy surrounding your future rural home.
  • Active Planning Permission: Full residential planning permission is already secured under Donegal County Council Reference 2150112, saving you significant time and initial design costs.
  • Extended Expiry Date: Planning permission remains valid until 20th April 2031, granting you a remarkably long window of several years to commence construction at your own pace.
  • Substantial House Design: The approved plans feature a spacious one-and-a-half storey residence spanning almost 2,400 square feet, perfectly suited for modern family living requirements.
  • Architect-Designed Layout: Enjoy the benefits of a professionally conceived layout that maximizes the rural setting and optimizes natural light throughout the entire living space.
  • Convenient Location: The land is situated almost equidistant from the busy towns of Lifford, Raphoe, and St. Johnston, offering easy access to local amenities and services.
  • Road Frontage Advantage: The site directly adjoins a minor public road, which simplifies local authority access requirements and reduces private driveway construction expenses significantly.
  • Cleared Footprint Ready: The main footprint of the proposed house has already been cleared, allowing your contractors to visualize the exact building orientation immediately upon site arrival.
  • Hardcore Entrance Installed: A functional hardcore-surfaced entrance is already in place, preventing muddy vehicle tracks and providing stable immediate access for heavy construction machinery.
  • Affordable Asking Price: Listed at just €55,000, the land represents an accessible entry point for self-builders looking to create a customized home without breaking the bank.
  • Established Local Agent: Represented by an experienced local negotiator, Henry Kee & Son, ensuring you can easily access full architectural plans and detailed site particulars.
  • Rural Tranquility: Enjoy a peaceful countryside lifestyle surrounded by open fields, away from congested urban environments while still maintaining good connectivity to nearby regional hubs.
  • Customization Potential: Building from scratch allows you to select your own finishes, energy systems, and interior specifications rather than compromising on a secondhand property purchase.
  • Phased Build Flexibility: With a multi-year planning window, you can carefully manage your construction financing and build out the spacious home in logical financial stages.
  • Strong Local Demand: One-off rural housing with valid planning permission remains highly sought after by local buyers, potentially protecting your total investment value over time.
  • Direct Enquiries Welcome: The open listing policy encourages straightforward communication with the selling agent, making it easy to request documentation before submitting a formal offer.
  • No Occupancy Restrictions: Buyers should verify whether local tie conditions apply to the planning permission, though many standard rural sites offer good flexibility for applicants.
  • Manageable Landscaping Scale: At 0.70 acres, the plot is large enough for a generous garden and paddock area without demanding the heavy maintenance associated with massive agricultural holdings.
  • Immediate Start Potential: Because ground preparation has begun and planning is active, you can potentially bypass months of administrative delays and move straight to contractor quotes.
  • Investment Upside: Completing a 2,400-square-foot bespoke home on an affordable rural site can yield a finished property value well above your total acquisition and build costs.

But keep in mind:

  • Missing BER Rating: A Building Energy Rating certificate is not provided, though this is typical for vacant land sales prior to the actual construction of the dwelling.
  • Unknown Connection Costs: You must investigate the proximity and connection expenses for essential local services such as mains electricity, public water supplies, and telecommunications.
  • Private Wastewater Requirement: Since rural properties usually lack main sewer lines, you should budget carefully for installing a compliant septic tank or private effluent treatment system.
  • Condition Compliance Burden: You must carefully review all conditions attached to planning reference 2150112 to ensure you can comply with every local authority requirement during construction.
  • Development Levies Apply: Buyers should verify with the local council whether substantial development contributions are owed upon commencement of the approved residential construction project.
  • Site Boundary Verification: You need your legal representative to confirm that all physical fences and markers match the official Land Registry title maps for this specific plot.
  • Agricultural Runoff Risks: Being located in a rural farming district, you should check the site for any potential drainage issues or seasonal surface water accumulation after heavy rains.
  • Geotechnical Survey Needed: A professional ground investigation or perk test should be commissioned to guarantee the soil conditions can properly support foundations and wastewater percolation.
  • Hidden Infrastructure Delays: Bringing utility services down the minor public road to your exact building threshold could involve unexpected trenching costs and coordination with providers.
  • Local Housing Need Rules: You should verify if Donegal County Council enforces strict local housing need criteria that might restrict who is legally permitted to build on this site.
  • Exact Acreage Check: Your solicitor should independently confirm that the usable land area matches the advertised 0.70 acres once local road setbacks and easements are deducted.
  • Construction Inflation Risk: Building a 2,400-square-foot home involves substantial material and labor outlays that could exceed initial budgetary forecasts in a volatile construction market.
  • Access Visibility Limits: You must inspect the public road entrance to ensure sightlines meet local authority safety standards for exiting and entering with standard passenger vehicles.
  • Restrictive Covenant Checks: Your legal team must thoroughly examine the deeds for any historical rights of way, easements, or burdens that could affect your future property layout.
  • Financing Complexities: Securing a traditional mortgage for raw land with planning permission can sometimes require specialized self-build loan products rather than standard residential mortgages.
  • Lack of Immediate Amenities: While towns are nearby, daily convenience stores, schools, and medical facilities are not within immediate walking distance, requiring complete reliance on cars.
  • Builder Availability Bottlenecks: Securing reputable local contractors for a one-off rural build can involve long waiting lists, potentially delaying your move-in timeline significantly.
  • Maintenance of Entrance: You should clarify responsibility for maintaining the minor public road frontage and ensuring the existing hardcore entrance meets local council drainage rules.
  • Future Expansion Limits: Any future modifications to the approved 2,400-square-foot house design will require submitting fresh planning applications to the local planning authority.
  • Lack of Structural History: As a vacant site, there are no existing structural walls or roofs to inspect, meaning all structural performance relies entirely on the new build quality.

Price positioning

?
This comparison depends on limited public and listing evidence, which may be incomplete, outdated or not directly comparable. The score is not a percentage, professional valuation or guaranteed estimate. Ask an independent qualified valuer before relying on a property value.
The asking price looks mildly overvalued compared with the available evidence.
  • Selected recent transacted market evidence informs this asking-price comparison.
  • Selected sale: LEGNATHRAW, SAINT JOHNSTON, COUNTY DONEGAL — 2025-02-21 — €50,000.00.
  • The asking price is €55,000 for a 0.70-acre rural site featuring full residential planning permission for a substantial architect-designed house.
  • Positioning reflects the inclusion of planning permission granted until 2031 and pre-cleared site works with a hardcore-surfaced entrance.

Build Analysis

What we know from similar construction types

  • The property is a 0.70-acre rural site being sold with full residential planning permission for an architect-designed one-off house.
  • Planning permission under Donegal County Council Reference 2150112 is valid until 20th April 2031, providing a lengthy window to commence and complete construction.
  • The approved design is a one-and-a-half storey style with a total floor area of approximately 2,400 square feet.
  • Site preparation has already begun, with the footprint cleared and a hardcore-surfaced entrance installed.
  • A buyer should verify all conditions attached to the planning permission, including local housing needs criteria, connection requirements for services such as water and wastewater treatment, and any development levies due.

Heating cost*

Estimated expense to heat this property every year

  • Annual heating cost cannot be reliably estimated at this stage as the property is currently an undeveloped site with no built structure or BER rating yet established.
  • Once constructed to modern building regulations, heating costs will depend heavily on the chosen heating system, insulation levels, and energy rating of the completed home.

Pollution Safe

9/10

Environmental situation to investigate

  • The site is located in a quiet rural setting in Creaghadoos, appearing well removed from major industrial facilities, incinerators, and large-scale commercial landfills.
  • Any potential local agricultural or minor legacy concerns should be verified as part of standard environmental due diligence.

Flood Safe

8/10

Water overflow reports to follow up

  • The property is situated in an elevated rural area generally considered to have a low overall likelihood of widespread flooding, though local surface water drainage should be checked.
  • Buyers are advised to consult official OPW flood maps to verify specific local flood risk before proceeding.

Recent Local Sales

Verified residential transactions published in the previous five years

Sales on the same street or estate

No verified results were found for this group in the previous five years.

Recent sales in the wider St Johnston area

  • LEGNATHRAW, SAINT JOHNSTON, COUNTY DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €50,000.00
  • KINNACALLY, SAINT JOHNSTON, CO DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €164,000.00
  • LEGNATHRAW, SAINT JOHNSTON, COUNTY DONEGAL

    Sale date
    Declared sale price
    €30,000.00

Source: Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), Residential Property Price Register (PPR). Matching uses address information published by the PPR rather than measured map distance. It may omit nearby properties on differently named streets.

Last Sale

A confidently matched previous PPR transaction for this property

No confidently matched previous sale was found in the Property Price Register.

Buyer fees*

Associated expenses guide

  • Stamp duty: Estimated at 1% to 2% of the purchase price depending on whether the property is residential or commercial land.
  • Solicitor legal fees: Typically range from €1,500 to €3,000 plus VAT and outlays.
  • Land registration fees: Approximately €400 to €800 depending on the value of the property.
  • Property valuation fees: Usually between €150 and €300.
  • Surveyor fees: Generally range from €500 to €1,200 depending on the depth of the survey required.
  • Annual home insurance: Varies widely by build type and size, but typically ranges from €400 to €1,000 once built.

Forum Talk

What people are saying about this area

  • Locals in the St. Johnston and Raphoe areas frequently discuss the peaceful rural atmosphere and the convenience of being equidistant to larger towns like Lifford.
  • Community discussions often highlight the importance of rural connectivity via minor public roads and maintenance updates from Donegal County Council.
  • Prospective buyers in the wider Co. Donegal region often share advice on navigating the planning permission process for one-off rural housing.
  • Local news occasionally covers rural development initiatives and infrastructure improvements aimed at supporting individual residential sites.

LifeFit Assessment

How well this property may suit your lifestyle

Family

7 areas
  • Young Children

    The 0.70-acre site offers plenty of outdoor space for children to play once built, though buyers should verify local school accessibility and childcare infrastructure nearby.

    6/10
  • Teenagers

    A spacious planned footprint of nearly 2,400 square feet allows room for growing teenagers, but the rural location means limited independent public transport options for older youths.

    5/10
  • Multi-generational Living

    With full planning permission for an architect-designed one-off house, buyers may have the flexibility to adapt the layout for multi-generational living, though final architectural plans should be reviewed.

    6/10
  • Single Buyers

    Purchasing a vacant site and managing a self-build project requires substantial capital, time, and project management experience, which may not suit most solo buyers.

    3/10
  • Couples

    An ideal opportunity for couples looking to design and build their bespoke dream home from scratch, provided they are prepared for the commitment of a construction project.

    7/10
  • Empty Nesters

    The generous plot allows for a peaceful retirement build, though future maintenance of a large 2,400-square-foot home and 0.70-acre garden should be considered.

    6/10
  • Retirees

    While rural tranquility appeals to retirees, the requirement to construct the property and manage contractors could be demanding, and proximity to medical facilities should be verified.

    5/10

Work

3 areas
  • Remote Working

    A self-build project allows the buyer to specifically design a dedicated home office, though broadband availability and fiber speeds at this rural location should be verified.

    8/10
  • Hybrid Commuting

    The site is located almost equidistant from Lifford, Raphoe, and St. Johnston, but long-distance commuting to major employment hubs may be impractical.

    4/10
  • Retired

    Suits retirees looking to build a custom home for their later years, provided they are comfortable managing a construction project.

    6/10

Practical

8 areas
  • Ageing in Place

    While a self-build offers the chance to incorporate accessible ground-floor living, the rural isolation and reliance on driving may pose challenges later in life.

    5/10
  • Low Maintenance

    A 0.70-acre plot and a large two-storey home require ongoing garden upkeep, exterior maintenance, and property management.

    2/10
  • Secure Gated Entry

    A hardcore-surfaced entrance is already installed, but buyers would need to install gates and fencing to achieve full security.

    5/10
  • Minimalist Design

    The granted planning permission is for an architect-designed one-off house, giving buyers flexibility to influence the final interior aesthetic.

    6/10
  • Flexible Floor Plans

    As a site with planning permission for a 2,400-square-foot home, buyers have maximum flexibility to adapt floor plans prior to or during construction, subject to planning compliance.

    9/10
  • Heritage Home

    This is a modern site with planning permission for a new build rather than a period or heritage property.

    1/10
  • Ecological Setup

    A new build offers an excellent opportunity to incorporate high-efficiency insulation, heat pumps, and sustainable technologies to achieve a strong BER rating.

    6/10
  • Outdoor areas

    The property includes a substantial 0.70-acre rural site with a cleared footprint and a hardcore-surfaced entrance already in place.

    9/10

Interests

9 areas
  • Gardening

    The 0.70-acre site provides ample blank-canvas outdoor space for keen gardeners to landscape and cultivate extensive grounds.

    8/10
  • Walking

    The surrounding rural roads offer opportunities for countryside walks, though buyers should check for designated walking trails or footpaths.

    7/10
  • Gym

    There are no gyms within immediate walking distance due to the rural location, meaning a drive to nearby towns is necessary.

    2/10
  • Cycling

    The minor public road adjoining the site can be suitable for cycling enthusiasts, though rural road safety and lighting should be kept in mind.

    7/10
  • Golf

    Buyers should investigate the proximity of the nearest golf courses, as local amenities require travel by car.

    4/10
  • Fishing

    County Donegal features various waterways and angling opportunities, though the exact proximity of specific fishing spots from this site should be verified.

    5/10
  • Horse Riding

    The generous plot size and rural surrounds could potentially accommodate equine interests, subject to local stabling availability and equestrian infrastructure.

    6/10
  • Water Sports

    Inland County Donegal is generally removed from major water sports facilities unless traveling toward coastal bays or larger lakes.

    3/10
  • Entertaining

    The planned house design offers a generous floor area of nearly 2,400 square feet and a large footprint, providing plenty of indoor and outdoor space for hosting guests once built.

    7/10

Lifestyle

5 areas
  • Quiet Living

    Situated on a rural site adjoining a minor public road in County Donegal, this location promises a peaceful environment away from heavy urban noise.

    9/10
  • Rural Living

    This is a quintessential rural offering featuring a 0.70-acre plot surrounded by countryside and located conveniently between Lifford, Raphoe, and St. Johnston.

    10/10
  • Village Living

    The property is positioned outside of immediate village centres, requiring a short drive to access local shops and community amenities in nearby towns.

    5/10
  • Coastal Living

    Co. Donegal has notable coastline, but this specific inland location does not offer coastal views or immediate seaside access.

    2/10
  • Urban Living

    Located in a strictly rural setting, this property is far removed from city or major urban centres.

    1/10

Social

6 areas
  • Community Involvement

    Rural townlands often feature tight-knit local communities, though integrating requires proactive participation in nearby village events and clubs.

    5/10
  • Café Culture

    Cafés and social coffee spots will require a short drive into the nearby towns rather than being within walking distance.

    3/10
  • Nightlife

    There is no local nightlife on the doorstep, as the setting is strictly rural.

    1/10
  • Health/Wellness groups

    Local wellness classes or pilates & stretching groups would typically be accessed by traveling to nearby population centres.

    4/10
  • Networking Opportunities

    Professional networking is minimal in this rural area, making remote channels or travel necessary for business connections.

    2/10
  • Tech-Hub Connectivity

    There are no major tech hubs nearby, meaning remote work infrastructure relies entirely on home internet connectivity.

    2/10

Listing information

Agent
Henry Kee & Son
Phone
074 9131050
Published on HouseDelve
23 September 2026
Correction
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Property reference: HD-A780FEHouseDelve · Republic of Ireland

Report checks

Sources used: Public marketplace, Property Price Register, and grounded web research where available.

Automated quality checks: Passed

Estimate — not advice. Actual costs and outcomes can vary materially. Obtain current quotations and professional advice before making financial or property decisions.