Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a social or economic functional need to reside in a rural area under strong urban influence, as required by Policy Objective SH39 of the Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028, leading to unsustainable rural encroachment.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant does not meet the definition of a 'local rural person' for the purpose of the rural housing policy because the original family home is located within the zoned boundary of Bunclody, a Level 3(a) Service Settlement.
- The applicant has not demonstrated a specific social or economic functional need to live in this particular rural area as required by the current Development Plan.
- The proposed development would result in an unsustainable form of rural housing that contributes to suburbanisation, generates demands for uneconomic public services, and creates unsustainable travel patterns.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028Policy Objective SH39Table 4.6 (Criteria for One-Off Rural Housing)Section 4.9 (Rural Housing Policy)Section 3.6.8 (Open Countryside)Figure 3-1 (Core Strategy Map)Map 1 (Rural Area Types)Bunclody Settlement Plan - Volume 3
Decision Document Summary
The proposal involves the construction of a single-storey 142m² dwelling, a shared entrance, and a wastewater treatment plant on a 0.2-hectare site at Hospital Hill, Bunclody, Co. Wexford. The site is located approximately 0.5km from the town center in an area designated as 'open countryside' under strong urban influence. While the applicant provided evidence of being raised 250m from the site, the Inspector noted that the family home is located within the town boundary, which excludes the appli...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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