Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development's excessive scale, height, and massing are fundamentally incompatible with the highly sensitive coastal landscape, the historic character of the Howth Castle demesne, and the setting of nearby protected structures.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development fails to respond to the baseline environment of a Highly Sensitive Landscape and would be detrimental to the character and setting of Protected Structures including Howth Castle and St. Mary's Church.
- The scale and height of the proposal would be significantly intrusive on the skyline and prominent approaches to Howth village, failing to protect critical horizons and ridgelines as required by the Development Plan.
- The submitted Visual Impact Assessment was deemed inadequate to justify the development's integration into the streetscape, leading to a material contravention of the site's zoning objectives.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy CSP22Objective HCAO24Objective GINHO55Objective GINHO56RS Zoning ObjectiveHA Zoning Objective
Decision Document Summary
The proposal sought a development on lands adjoining the Howth Demesne Deer Park, a site of significant historical and environmental sensitivity within the Howth Special Amenity Area Order buffer zone. Fingal County Council refused the application because the proposed scale and massing were considered wholly inconsistent with the character of the historic demesne and the surrounding coastal landscape. The decision highlights that the project would negatively impact the setting of multiple protec...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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