Core Refusal Reason
The proposed retention represents overdevelopment of a restricted site due to the resulting poorly configured and substantially insufficient usable private amenity space (14.7 sqm), which would seriously injure the residential amenity of the property and contravene the 'RES' zoning objective of the South Dublin County Development Plan.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The retention of the extension results in a residual usable private open space of only 14.7 sqm, which is significantly below the required standards for a dwelling of this size and is considered functionally inadequate.
- While the extension's scale and design do not cause unacceptable overbearing impacts or loss of light to neighboring properties, the overall density and lack of amenity space constitute overdevelopment on a constrained site.
- Granting permission for the development would set an undesirable precedent for similar proposals that cumulatively harm the residential amenities of the area and contradict the core zoning objectives of the County Development Plan.
Cited Policies (CDP)
South Dublin County Development Plan 2022-2028Zoning Objective 'RES' - To protect and/or improve residential amenityPolicy H14: Residential ExtensionsH14 Objective 1H14 Objective 2Policy H15 Objective 1 (Family Flats)Section 12.6.8 Residential Consolidation (Extensions and Family Flats)Section 12.6.7Policy H13 Objective 2SDCC House Extension Design Guide 2025 (Built Form Principles BFP1 and BFP4)Table 12.20 Minimum Standards for Housing
Decision Document Summary
This report concerns an appeal against South Dublin County Council's decision to refuse retention permission for a 25.5 sqm single-storey rear extension at No. 6 St Edmunds Park, Lucan. The applicant sought to retain the structure as a 'family flat' to provide semi-independent accommodation for their father, citing significant medical needs and personal circumstances. The site is a small end-of-terrace dwelling (58 sqm original floor area) on a restricted plot. The Inspector evaluated the propos...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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