2660551
revisions to permitted development as per WCC grant Ref 25/60554 at Broomhall, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow: • omission of Creche building and associated car parking, drop off spaces & Refuse & Bicycle stores• revised residential numbers from 87 no. units to 83 no. units (4 No. 1-bed, 15 No. 2-bed, 59 No. 3-bed, 5 No. 4-bed) • revision from 175 No. car parking spaces to 174 No. car parking spaces • revisions to associated Refuse & Bicycle stores; hard and soft landscaping; communal open space; boundary treatments; and all associated site and development works above and below ground
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed omission of the permitted creche building constitutes an unacceptable loss of essential social infrastructure for the residential area, contravening the County Development Plan's requirements for childcare provision.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The omission of the permitted childcare facility (creche) results in an unacceptable loss of social infrastructure, directly contravening objectives CPO 7.28 and CPO 7.29 of the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028.
- The applicant failed to submit a Childcare Demand Analysis or social infrastructure audit to justify the removal of the creche, leaving the planning authority unable to confirm that local needs are adequately met by existing facilities.
- The proposed reduction in residential density and variety of housing types, coupled with the loss of the creche, represents a degradation of the original permitted scheme (Ref 25/60554) and is considered contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.