Core Planning Reasoning
The applicant failed to demonstrate an exceptional rural housing need for a site within the Metropolitan Cork Greenbelt, and the proposed dwelling would result in a detrimental visual impact on an elevated ridge while creating a traffic hazard on a substandard road network.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The applicant does not meet the 'exceptional rural housing need' criteria of the Cork County Development Plan, as they lack a functional economic or social requirement to reside in this specific high-pressure greenbelt area.
- The siting of the house on an elevated ridge would intrude into unspoilt agricultural land, exacerbating ribbon development and causing serious injury to the visual amenities and rural character of the landscape.
- The local road network is substandard in width and alignment; the additional traffic movements generated would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Policy RCI 2-1Policy RCI 2-2Policy RCI 4-1Policy RCI 5-3Policy RCI 6-1Policy RCI 6-2Policy RCI 6-3Objective GI 6-1Objective GI 8-1Policy objectives RCI 5-1 to 5-7
Decision Document Summary
The application sought to erect a 123sq.m L-shaped bungalow and septic tank on a 0.3ha greenfield site in Adamstown, Ballinhassig, within the Metropolitan Cork Greenbelt. While Cork County Council initially granted permission, the Inspector recommended refusal following a third-party appeal. The site is located in a rural area under significant urban influence near Cork City and Airport, characterised by a high density of one-off housing. The Inspector argued that the applicant, an architect wor...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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