Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine local housing need or intrinsic links to the area, and the proposed siting was deemed inappropriate due to topography and the availability of more suitable alternative sites within the family landholding.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The Planning Authority expressed serious concerns regarding the siting and topography of the development, which would result in ad-hoc, disjointed development; the applicant failed to justify why more suitable alternative sites within the family landholding were not utilized.
- The proposal would lead to an intensification of traffic on a private lane, and the applicant failed to provide sufficient details regarding the lane's condition at the public road intersection or adequate surface water infrastructure.
- The applicant did not provide a required Appropriate Assessment Screening report to assess potential impacts on nearby Natura 2000 sites, including Lough Ree SAC and SPA, nor did they sufficiently document their former family home to prove intrinsic links.
Cited Policies (CDP)
CPO 3.2CPO 9.1
Decision Document Summary
The proposal involves the construction of a single-storey dwelling, garage, and tertiary treatment unit on a 0.21 ha site at Hillquarter, Coosan, Athlone. Located in a 'Strong Rural Area Under Urban Influence,' the development is subject to strict local housing need criteria under the Westmeath County Development Plan 2021-2027. The application was refused because the applicant failed to demonstrate sufficient intrinsic links to the area and did not adequately justify the siting of the house giv...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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