Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to potential environmental impacts on a protected SAC, inadequate traffic safety sightlines, failure to demonstrate local housing need, and significant adverse visual impact on the rural landscape.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The lack of an Appropriate Assessment Screening meant the Planning Authority could not rule out significant adverse effects on the Slaney River Valley SAC.
- The proposed access fails to meet required 65m sightlines and relies on land outside the applicant's control, creating a traffic hazard on a steep road with a hairpin bend.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine local housing need for this 'Stronger Rural Area' and the proposed dwelling would be visually intrusive on an elevated, exposed site.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Section 18.29.3Section 18.12Objective L03Objective L04Objective L09
Decision Document Summary
This application sought permission for a dwelling and services at Ballynahillen, Huntingtown. Wexford County Council refused the proposal because it failed to provide necessary environmental screenings for the Slaney River Valley SAC and did not meet traffic safety standards regarding sightlines on a challenging local road. Furthermore, the applicant did not satisfy the 'local need' criteria for rural housing in a restricted area, and the design was deemed visually prominent and incongruous with...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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