Core Refusal Reason
The applicant failed to demonstrate a long-standing social link to the specific local area of the site as required by Rural Housing Objective RHO-4 for developments along designated scenic routes.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant's family home is located in The Valley, Doogort, which is approximately 10km from the subject site in Sraheens; this distance is considered too great to satisfy the requirement for a long-standing social link to the specific area in which he proposes to build.
- The proposed development would contravene Rural Housing Objective RHO-4 of the Mayo County Development Plan 2022-2028, which seeks to protect the character and integrity of coastal areas and scenic routes.
- Granting permission would result in haphazard development along a coastal area and militate against the preservation of the rural environment and the character of the landscape.
Cited Policies (CDP)
RHO 2RHO 4Category 2 - Scenic Routes Scenic ViewsMayo County Development Plan 2022-2028
Decision Document Summary
Dominic McNulty sought planning permission for a new residential house, domestic garage, and wastewater treatment system on an elevated 0.67ha site at Sraheens, Achill, situated along the Wild Atlantic Way. Although the applicant provided evidence of being from Achill and having lived there for 30 years, the Planning Authority found that his family home in Doogort (10km away) did not constitute a sufficient social link to the specific Sraheens locality. The application was refused because it fai...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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