Core Refusal Reason
The application was refused due to potential adverse impacts on the Slaney River Valley SAC, failure to demonstrate a local rural housing need, inadequate sightlines requiring works outside the site boundary, and significant negative visual impact on the rural landscape.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The absence of an Appropriate Assessment Screening meant the Planning Authority could not rule out significant adverse effects on the Slaney River Valley SAC Natura 2000 site.
- The applicant failed to demonstrate a specific local housing need as required for a 'Stronger Rural Area' under the Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines and the Wexford County Development Plan.
- The proposed dwelling would result in a detrimental visual impact due to its elevated siting and the required removal of over 50m of mature hedgerows to achieve necessary traffic sightlines.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Objective L09Section 18.12Objective L03Objective L04
Decision Document Summary
The proposal sought permission for a dwelling and associated services at Ballynahillen, Huntingtown. The Planning Authority refused the application on four primary grounds: environmental risk to the Slaney River Valley SAC due to insufficient screening; failure to meet rural housing need criteria for the 'Stronger Rural Area' designation; traffic safety concerns regarding sightlines that require works outside the site boundary; and significant visual impact on the rural landscape caused by the s...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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