Core Planning Reasoning
The development was refused due to significant landscape impacts in a High Scenic Amenity area, traffic safety concerns arising from inadequate visibility lines near a school, and potential risks of water pollution to a Natura 2000 site (SAC) given the site's soil conditions and drainage proposal.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed dwelling and its 99m access road would be visually prominent from the N56 coastal road, creating a haphazard settlement pattern and an unacceptable scar on the hillside within a High Scenic Amenity (HSA) area.
- The access point on the L2513 is deficient in visibility and alignment; given its proximity to Kilkenny National School and the inadequacy of the winter-only traffic survey, the proposal would endanger public safety.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that the site can safely treat and dispose of effluent without posing a risk of water pollution to the West of Ardara/Maas Road SAC, particularly due to the direct hydrological connection via a watercourse.
Cited Policies (CDP)
RH-O-4RH-O-5NH-P-7NH-P-17RH-P-1RH-P-2RH-P-4TOU-O-8Table 2 Appendix 3Table 3 Appendix 3
Decision Document Summary
This proposal involves the construction of a 260 sqm staggered single-storey dwelling and a double garage on a sloping 0.975 ha site in Glenties, Co. Donegal. The site is situated in a 'Structurally Weak Rural Area' and is designated as an area of 'High Scenic Amenity' (HSA). While the Inspector acknowledged the applicant's rural housing need under Policy RH-P-4, the recommendation was for refusal. Key arguments included the visual impact of extensive cut-and-fill works and a long access road, w...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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