Core Planning Reasoning
Grant (Recommendation to omit Condition 2). The Inspector concluded that the proposed location of the garage is acceptable as it utilizes natural screening, ensures safe vehicular access, and does not significantly impact the visual amenities of the surrounding High Scenic Amenity area.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed garage is subordinate in scale and massing to the main dwelling and benefits from a high degree of natural screening, meaning its visual impact is limited despite sitting forward of the front building line.
- Relocation of the garage as required by the Planning Authority would likely make it inaccessible to vehicles and would negatively impact the applicant's residential amenity by blocking principal views from the living area.
- The road serving the site is private, therefore the 15m setback requirements from the centerline of a public local road do not apply in this instance.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Donegal County Development Plan 2018-2024Map 6.2.1 (Rural Area Types)Map 7.1.1 (Scenic Amenity)Section 7.1.1 (Landscape Designations)Policy AB-P-12 (Residential Amenity)Policy UB-P-27 (Proposals for Extension)Section 2.11 of Appendix 3 (Road Setbacks)Section 4.6 of Appendix 4 (Annex Buildings and Garages)Policy RH-P-1
Decision Document Summary
This Inspector's Report concerns a first-party appeal against Condition 2 of a planning permission granted by Donegal County Council for a detached domestic garage at Doaghbeg, Portsalon. The Planning Authority had required the garage to be relocated to align with the front of the dwelling and for the garage door to be centered. The site is located in a rural area designated as 'High Scenic Amenity' and sits on a 0.63ha plot served by a private road. The Inspector found that the applicant's prop...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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