23/6083
Permission for (1) retention of circa 0.77ha of part completed recontoured lands to the south and southeast corner of the site. Subsoil used for the recontouring was site won material associated with other permitted developments on site. (2) Permission for construction of the following (a) 8 No. warehouses for the maturation of whiskey, (5 No. warehouses with 3 compartments, 2 No. warehouses with 2 compartments, 1 warehouse with 4 compartments) each with an overall height of 10.060m and a floor area per compartment of 1000m² giving an overall floor area of 23,000m². (b) A single storey service building with an overall height of 4.480m and a floor area of 185m². (c) A firefighting water storage tank, 7.2m high, 10.075m dia. with a storage capacity of 559m3. (d) Further recontouring of the lands, particularly in the south and southeast corner of the site and site excavation works. (e) Construction of a surface water detention lagoon (storage volume 5420m3) (f) Construction of an underground concrete fire water retention tank (storage volume 2510m3) (g) 3m high palisade security fencing around the site, security camera and site lighting within the site. (h) Internal road network and associated staff parking area. (i) Relocation of the storage canopy building ‘’C’’ to facilitate the internal site movement of HGVs, to the west of the site. (j) Ancillary boundary treatments and landscaping. (k) All associated site works. All located at their site. The proposed development will be classified as an establishment to which the European Communities (Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2015 apply.
Core Refusal Reason
The development was refused due to non-compliance with Seveso III safety standards, adverse visual impact on a High Value Landscape, and conflict with strategic rural land-use policies regarding the scale of development in a Rural Area Under Strong Urban Influence.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant failed to demonstrate that the development complies with the Seveso III Directive regarding the mitigation of risks associated with major industrial accidents.
- The excessive scale, massing, and design of the development are considered unsuitable for a High Value Landscape and would undermine the character of the Rural Area Under Strong Urban Influence.
- The proposal materially contravenes strategic objectives that prioritize agriculture as the primary land use in rural areas and direct employment-related development toward main towns and villages.