Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a genuine rural-generated housing need in an area under strong urban influence, and the development would contribute to undesirable ribbon development, landscape injury, and traffic hazards on a substandard road.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant does not comply with the rural housing need criteria set out in the Cork County Development Plan or National Policy Objective 19 of the National Planning Framework.
- The proposed dwelling would exacerbate a problematic pattern of ribbon development and result in a visually discordant feature on an elevated ridge, undermining the rural character of the landscape.
- The development would endanger public safety due to additional traffic movements on a poorly aligned, substandard road network and failed to demonstrate compliance with the 2021 EPA Code of Practice for wastewater treatment.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy Objective RCI 2-1Policy Objective RCI 2-2Policy Objective RCI 4-2Policy Objective RCI 6-1Policy Objective RCI 6-3Objective GI 6-1Objective GI 7-4
Decision Document Summary
This report concerns an appeal against Cork County Council's decision to refuse permission for a bungalow at Rathard, Aherla, Co. Cork. The site is located in a rural area designated as being under 'Strong Urban Influence' due to its proximity to Cork City. The Inspector found that the area is already heavily impacted by one-off housing, with the site located at the end of a continuous ribbon of approximately 14 houses. While the applicant has lived in the area for 54 years, the Inspector determ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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