Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development materially contravenes the 'RU' (Rural) zoning objective of the South Dublin County Development Plan 2016-2022, as the commercial storage of vehicles is not permitted in principle and fails to protect or improve rural and agricultural amenity.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed use as a large-scale van storage facility is fundamentally incompatible with the 'RU' zoning objective, which seeks to protect rural character and agricultural land use.
- The development would result in significant environmental degradation through soil sealing and the loss of biodiversity, without providing sufficient green infrastructure or visual mitigation to offset the impact of the expansive hard-surfaced area.
- Granting permission would set an undesirable precedent for the fragmentation of rural lands and could potentially compromise national security and aviation safety given the site's proximity to the Baldonnell Aerodrome boundary.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy IE-2Policy G2Objective G3-4Objective G5-1Policy Objective HCL 7 Objective 1Policy Objective HCL 7 Objective 2Section 7.8.1Section 11.6.6Schedule 5
Decision Document Summary
The proposal sought to develop a site north of College Road, Rathcoole, for the storage of an operational van fleet serving a nearby distribution warehouse. The 2-hectare site is located within the Newcastle Lowlands and is zoned 'RU' (Rural) under the South Dublin County Development Plan. The Planning Authority refused permission because the commercial nature of the development materially contravenes the rural zoning objective. Furthermore, the application failed to demonstrate adequate justifi...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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