Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to non-compliance with housing need eligibility criteria for access onto a restricted regional road and significant traffic safety concerns regarding sightlines, building setbacks, and junction design.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a functional family farm holding, which is a requirement under DM Standard 18(b) for justifying a new access onto a restricted regional road (R355) outside of 50-60kmp speed zones.
- The proposed development would interfere with the safety and free flow of traffic on the R355 due to poor vertical and horizontal alignment, the presence of a continuous white line, and the absence of an engineering analysis for the proposed shared access junction.
- The proposal contravenes DM Standards 20 and 21 as it fails to meet the required 25-metre building line setback and lacks a comprehensive photographic survey to prove that the necessary 120-metre sight visibility distances are achievable.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Objective RHO2DM Standard 18(b)Objective TI6DM Standard 20DM Standard 21Chapter 13 - Development Management Standards
Decision Document Summary
The proposal sought permission for a new dwelling house, domestic garage, and wastewater treatment system at Abbeypark, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, located on the R355 regional road. Galway County Council refused the application because the applicants did not demonstrate they were members of a farm family with a functional need to access this restricted route, as required by the County Development Plan. Furthermore, the planning authority concluded that the development would create a traffic hazard...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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