Core Planning Reasoning
The Inspector recommended granting retention permission because the fence's height exceedance of approximately 0.3m above the 2m baseline is considered modest, and its design—which includes tapering and screening by existing vegetation—ensures it does not significantly impact neighboring residential or visual amenities.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The development is consistent with Zoning Objective A, which permits residential development and the alteration of boundaries in principle.
- The height and scale of the fence, while exceeding the 2m baseline by approximately 0.3m at its highest point, is considered modest and tapers down to reduce its visual mass.
- The retention of the fence does not result in significant overbearing or overshadowing impacts on neighboring properties due to its orientation, distance from dwellings, and the presence of back planting.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Development Plan 2022-2028Zoning Objective AChapter 12 – Development ManagementSection 12.8.7.2 ‘Boundaries’
Decision Document Summary
This report concerns a retention application for a timber fence ranging from 2.08m to 2.3m in height, situated atop an existing 1.5m boundary wall in the rear garden of 9 Rowan Park, Blackrock. The Planning Authority had granted permission, which was subsequently appealed by a neighbor who cited a previous planning condition (D06A/1578) limiting boundary heights to 2m and raised concerns regarding wall stability and residential amenity. The Inspector acknowledged the previous restriction but not...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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View the appeal at An Bord Pleanála