Core Refusal Reason
Failure to demonstrate a bona fide agricultural need for the development and lack of evidence regarding the existing farming operation to justify the scale of the proposed structures.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to provide sufficient evidence of a bona fide agricultural need or detailed documentation of the existing landholding and farming operations to justify the scale of the proposed hayshed and stables.
- The proposed development lacks a comprehensive landscaping scheme necessary to integrate large-scale outbuildings into the 'Blackwater Valley' Landscape Character Area, which is designated as having very high character value and high sensitivity.
- Technical concerns were raised regarding the functional design of the hayshed, specifically that the proposed roller shutter door heights appear inadequate for the large agricultural vehicles and machinery intended to access the building.
Cited Policies (CDP)
INF POL 20INF POL 21INF POL 22INF OBJ 20INF OBJ 21INF OBJ 22INF OBJ 25RD POL 47RD POL 48RD POL 49RD POL 50HER POL 52HER POL 53RD POL 10RD POL 12
Decision Document Summary
The applicant, Keara Kelly, sought permission for a 450sqm hayshed, a 197sqm stables building, a septic tank, and a new agricultural entrance at Mountainpole, Kells, Co. Meath. The site is located in the sensitive 'Blackwater Valley' landscape. While the formal decision was a request for further information, the planner's assessment highlights a failure to prove a genuine agricultural necessity for the structures, particularly following a previously withdrawn application for a dwelling on the sa...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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